Top Rankings
South Central Nebraska Unified 5 School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Nebraska for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 548 students in South Central Nebraska Unified 5 School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Nebraska.
Public Elementary Schools in South Central Nebraska Unified 5 School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Nebraska public elementary school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public elementary school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NE)
# Schools
6 Schools
686 Schools
# Students
733 Students
208,191 Students
# Teachers
66 Teachers
15,206 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
South Central Nebraska Unified 5 School District, 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 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 90% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#188 out of 246 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
62%
Graduation Rate
≥90%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.32
0.58
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
3%
% Hispanic
16%
23%
% Black
1%
7%
% White
81%
61%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $21,093 is higher than the state median of $15,464. The school district revenue/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,558 is higher than the state median of $16,776. The school district spending/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$16 MM
$5,080 MM
Spending
$14 MM
$5,511 MM
Revenue / Student
$21,093
$15,464
Spending / Student
$19,558
$16,776
Best South Central Nebraska Unified 5 School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Sandy Creek Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
30671 Highway 14
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 762-3561
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 762-3561
Grades: 6-8
| 97 students
Rank: #22.
Lawrence/nelson Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
411 E Second
Lawrence, NE 68957
(402) 756-7013
Lawrence, NE 68957
(402) 756-7013
Grades: PK-5
| 129 students
Rank: #33.
Sandy Creek Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
30671 Hwy 14
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2412
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2412
Grades: PK-5
| 275 students
Rank: #44.
Lawrence - Nelson Middle School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
850 S Nevada
Nelson, NE 68961
(402) 225-3371
Nelson, NE 68961
(402) 225-3371
Grades: 6-8
| 47 students
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