Top Rankings
Kearney School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Nebraska for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public middle schools serving 1,186 students in Kearney School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public middle schools in Nebraska.
Public Middle Schools in Kearney School District have an average math proficiency score of 69% (versus the Nebraska public middle school average of 61%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 44% statewide average).
The top-ranked public middle schools in Kearney School District are Horizon Middle School and Sunrise Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public middle school average of 35% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NE)
# Schools
15 Schools
338 Schools
# Students
6,066 Students
80,206 Students
# Teachers
389 Teachers
6,520 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Kearney School District, which is ranked within the top 30% 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 94% has increased from 88% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#82 out of 246 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
69%
58%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
56%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
73%
62%
Graduation Rate
94%
87%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)18.3%
22.6%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.39
0.53
% American Indian
1%
2%
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
17%
20%
% Black
2%
6%
% White
76%
65%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,017 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,371. The school district revenue/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,821 is less than the state median of $16,674. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$79 MM
$5,080 MM
Spending
$72 MM
$5,511 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,017
$15,371
Spending / Student
$11,821
$16,674
Best Kearney School District Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Horizon Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
915 W 35th St
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8120
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8120
Gr: 6-8 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #22.
Sunrise Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4611 Ave N
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8150
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8150
Gr: 6-8 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: n/an/a
Hanny Arram Center
Alternative School
3907 6th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-6900
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-6900
Gr: 6-12 | 2 students
Recent Articles
Phone Bans Are Expanding: Will They Actually Help Your Child?
Phone bans are spreading in public schools nationwide. Learn how to evaluate whether a school's cellphone policy will improve your child's learning and well-being.
Should You Move for a Better Public School or Stay Put?
Considering a move to a higher-rated public school? Learn how to weigh school quality, housing costs, and family priorities before relocating.
How to Compare Public School Value Beyond Test Scores
Learn how to evaluate public school value using student support, school climate, opportunities, and outcomes, not just standardized test scores.
