High Plains Community Schools

260 S Pine
Polk, NE 68654-0029
(District boundaries shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

High Plains Community Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Nebraska for:

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 2 public schools serving 207 students in High Plains Community Schools. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Nebraska.
Public Schools in High Plains Community Schools have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NE)
# Schools
2 Schools
1,095 Schools
# Students
207 Students
330,322 Students
# Teachers
27 Teachers
24,220 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
8:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

High Plains Community Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 245 school districts in Nebraska (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 70% has decreased from 80% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NE)
#143 out of 246 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
56%
58%
50-54%
47%
60-69%
62%
70%
87.3%
(2022-23)
13.3%
22.6%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.25
0.58
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
3%
% Hispanic
14%
23%
% Black
1%
7%
% White
85%
61%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $31,961 is higher than the state median of $15,379. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $40,082 is higher than the state median of $16,683. The school district spending/student has grown by 25% over four school years.
This School District
This State (NE)
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$5,080 MM
Spending
$8 MM
$5,511 MM
Revenue / Student
$31,961
$15,379
Spending / Student
$40,082
$16,683

Best High Plains Community Schools Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
High Plains Community Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
205 W Pearl St
Clarks, NE 68628
(308) 548-2216
Gr: PK-6 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
High Plains Community Jr/sr High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
345 S Pine
Polk, NE 68654
(402) 765-3331
Gr: 7-12 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 16%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to High Plains Community Schools?
High Plains Community Schools manages 2 public schools serving 207 students.
What is the rank of High Plains Community Schools?
High Plains Community Schools is ranked #165 out of 245 school districts in Nebraska (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Nebraska school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%) and Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in High Plains Community Schools?
85% of High Plains Community Schools students are White, 14% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of High Plains Community Schools?
High Plains Community Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 8:1, which is lower than the Nebraska state average of 14:1.
What is High Plains Community Schools's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $40,082 is higher than the state median of $16,683. The school district spending/student has grown by 25% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • District size: 2 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 207 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 14%
  • : 70% (Top 20% in NE)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 56% (Btm 50%)
  • : 50-54% (Top 50%)
  • : 60-69% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NE Dept. of Education

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