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 6 public schools serving 733 students in South Central Nebraska Unified 5 School District. This district's average testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Nebraska.
Public Schools in South Central Nebraska Unified 5 School District have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NE)
# Schools
6 Schools
1,100 Schools
# Students
733 Students
328,496 Students
# Teachers
66 Teachers
24,032 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
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
0.57
# American Indian Students
3 Students
4,353 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1 Student
10,108 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
3%
# Hispanic Students
116 Students
73,597 Students
% Hispanic Students
16%
22%
# Black Students
4 Students
21,317 Students
% Black Students
1%
7%
# White Students
593 Students
203,278 Students
% White Students
81%
62%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
560 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
16 Students
15,283 Students
% of Two or more races Students
2%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
102
19,504
# Students in K Grade:
54
22,318
# Students in 1st Grade:
59
22,898
# Students in 2nd Grade:
45
23,457
# Students in 3rd Grade:
56
23,201
# Students in 4th Grade:
45
23,506
# Students in 5th Grade:
43
23,198
# Students in 6th Grade:
48
23,396
# Students in 7th Grade:
44
23,395
# Students in 8th Grade:
52
24,061
# Students in 9th Grade:
50
25,222
# Students in 10th Grade:
44
25,356
# Students in 11th Grade:
43
23,606
# Students in 12th Grade:
48
25,378
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
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 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
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Lawrence/nelson High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
850 S Nevada
Nelson, NE 68961
(402) 225-3371
Nelson, NE 68961
(402) 225-3371
Grades: 9-12
| 68 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Sandy Creek High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
30671 Hwy 14
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2151
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2151
Grades: 9-12
| 117 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to South Central Nebraska Unified 5 School District?
South Central Nebraska Unified 5 School District manages 6 public schools serving 733 students.
What is the rank of South Centralbraska Unified 5 School District?
South Centralbraska Unified 5 School District is ranked #175 out of 245 school districts in Nebraska (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Nebraska school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
What is the racial composition of students in South Centralbraska Unified 5 School District?
81% of South Centralbraska Unified 5 School District students are White, 16% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of South Centralbraska Unified 5 School District?
South Centralbraska Unified 5 School District has a student/teacher ratio of 11:1, which is lower than the Nebraska state average of 14:1.
What is South Centralbraska Unified 5 School District's spending/student ratio?
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.
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