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Sterling Elementary School

Summary:

Sterling Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Sterling, Nebraska, serving grades PK-6 with a total enrollment of 135 students. The school is part of the Johnson County Central Public Schools district, which is ranked 82 out of 212 districts in Nebraska and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Sterling Elementary School has a significantly higher percentage of white students (91.85%) compared to the surrounding schools, which range from 80% to 95% white students, its academic performance is generally lower than the state average and the nearby schools. For example, in 2022-2023, the school's 3rd-grade ELA proficiency rate was 57%, compared to the state average of 63%. Additionally, Sterling Elementary School has a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (40.74%) compared to the surrounding schools, which range from 9.71% to 60.38%. Despite the higher per-student spending of $17,331 in 2022-2023 and a lower student-teacher ratio of 11.1, the school's academic performance is still lagging behind the state average and the nearby schools, such as Norris Elementary School and Norris Intermediate School.

The analysis of Sterling Elementary School's data reveals a concerning trend of declining performance, with the school's statewide ranking dropping from 62 out of 450 Nebraska elementary schools in 2017-2018 (4 stars) to 320 out of 459 in 2022-2023 (2 stars). This suggests that the school's lower academic outcomes compared to the surrounding schools may be influenced by a combination of factors, including the socioeconomic status of the student population and other underlying issues that require further investigation.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 250 Main St
       Sterling, NE  68443-0039

(402) 866-4761

District: Sterling Public Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,331 Help


Students who attend Sterling Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Sterling High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.0 Help
Number of students:  143

Racial breakdown:

White:
93.0%
Hispanic:
5.6%
African American:
0.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  39.9% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Sterling Elementary School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 36.82. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (93%), Hispanic (5.6%), African American (0.7%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 39.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sterling Elementary School is 12. (See more...)
Help
Compare Sterling Elementary School employs 11.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sterling Elementary School is $17,331.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Sterling Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.



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Rank History for Sterling Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Sterling Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 38.69 303rd 418 27.5%
2007 31.63 350th 430 18.6%
2008 54.09 280th 478 41.4%
2009 53.42 276th 471 41.4%
2010 39.16 376th 502 25.1%
2011 46.36 272nd 473 42.5%
2012 44.78 296th 480 38.3%
2013 65.51 142nd 485 70.7%
2014 77.19 73rd 483 84.9%
2015 69.48 122nd 488 75.0%
2016 76.31 91st 480 81.0%
2017 72.86 119th 459 74.1%
2018 80.92 62nd 450 86.2%
2019 45.97 257th 452 43.1%
2021 54.63 200th 442 54.8%
2022 33.36 321st 457 29.8%
2023 36.82 320th 459 30.3%
See the entire list of Nebraska Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for White students at Sterling Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 30.56 293rd 391 25.1%
2021 40.78 232nd 368 37.0%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Nebraska Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Sterling Elementary School Test Scores
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Data source: Nebraska Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Sterling Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 122 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 122
1989 120 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 120
1990 116 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 116
1991 112 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 112
1992 99 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 99
1993 102 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 102
1994 116 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 117
1995 109 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 110
1996 109 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 110
1997 114 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 117
1998 112 2 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 115
1999 116 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 117
2000 113 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 114
2001 118 1 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 120
2002 108 2 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 111
2003 108 2 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 111
2004 115 3 1 0 2 n/a n/a 0 121
2005 123 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 126
2006 116 1 3 0 1 n/a n/a 0 121
2007 119 0 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 121
2008 95 2 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 98
2009 91 2 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 94
2010 94 1 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 96
2011 87 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 88
2012 96 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 97
2013 98 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 101
2014 92 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 97
2015 110 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 116
2016 103 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 108
2017 98 1 0 3 0 0 1 0 103
2018 105 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 111
2019 111 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 116
2020 117 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 120
2021 126 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 131
2022 119 0 0 9 0 0 1 0 129
2023 124 0 0 10 0 0 1 0 135
2024 133 1 0 8 0 0 1 0 143

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Sterling Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 122 9.0 13.5 26.2
1989 120 9.0 13.3 22.5
1990 116 9.0 12.8 21.6
1991 112 9.0 12.4 17
1992 99 9.0 11.0 14.1
1993 102 9.2 11.1 19.6
1994 117 10.4 11.3 20.5
1995 110 9.9 11.1 17.3
1996 110 9.9 11.1 17.3
1997 117 9.9 11.8 19.7
1998 115 9.9 11.6 20
1999 117 9.9 11.8 28.2
2000 114 9.8 11.6 28.9
2001 120 10.3 11.7 30
2002 111 9.8 11.3 27
2003 111 9.8 11.3 27
2004 121 10.3 11.7 33.9
2005 126 10.0 12.6 27
2006 121 10.0 12.1 21.5
2007 121 10.0 12.1 26.4
2008 98 8.9 11.0 31.6
2009 94 8.0 11.8 27.7
2010 96 9.3 10.3 37.5
2011 88 9.0 9.7 36.4
2012 97 10.0 9.6 37.1
2013 101 8.8 11.3 31.7
2014 97 8.8 10.9 34
2015 116 11.0 10.5 30.2
2016 108 11.0 9.8 28.7
2017 103 10.7 9.5 33
2018 111 11.8 9.3 30.6
2019 116 13.1 8.8 31
2020 120 12.7 9.4 35
2021 131 11.4 11.4 33.6
2022 129 11.0 11.6 28.7
2023 135 12.0 11.1 40.7
2024 143 11.8 12.0 39.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Sterling Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 122 9.0 13.5 26.2
1989 120 9.0 13.3 22.5
1990 116 9.0 12.8 21.6
1991 112 9.0 12.4 17
1992 99 9.0 11.0 14.1
1993 102 9.2 11.1 19.6
1994 117 10.4 11.3 20.5
1995 110 9.9 11.1 17.3
1996 110 9.9 11.1 17.3
1997 117 9.9 11.8 19.7
1998 115 9.9 11.6 20
1999 117 9.9 11.8 28.2
2000 114 9.8 11.6 28.9
2001 120 10.3 11.7 30
2002 111 9.8 11.3 27
2003 111 9.8 11.3 27
2004 121 10.3 11.7 33.9
2005 126 10.0 12.6 27
2006 121 10.0 12.1 21.5
2007 121 10.0 12.1 26.4
2008 98 8.9 11.0 31.6
2009 94 8.0 11.8 27.7
2010 96 9.3 10.3 37.5
2011 88 9.0 9.7 36.4
2012 97 10.0 9.6 37.1
2013 101 8.8 11.3 31.7
2014 97 8.8 10.9 34
2015 116 11.0 10.5 30.2
2016 108 11.0 9.8 28.7
2017 103 10.7 9.5 33
2018 111 11.8 9.3 30.6
2019 116 13.1 8.8 31
2020 120 12.7 9.4 35
2021 131 11.4 11.4 33.6
2022 129 11.0 11.6 28.7
2023 135 12.0 11.1 40.7
2024 143 11.8 12.0 39.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Sterling Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,536 (9.7%) $13,238 (83.6%) $15,829
2020 $1,527 (7.6%) $16,824 (84.0%) $20,040
2021 $1,503 (9.3%) $13,242 (81.5%) $16,243
2022 $1,572 (9.4%) $13,746 (82.2%) $16,731
2023 $1,702 (9.8%) $14,201 (81.9%) $17,331

Data source: Nebraska Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Sterling Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 257th of 452 Elementary schoolsRanks 320th of 459 Elementary schools
 12.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Sterling Elementary School)5041
 9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Sterling Public Schools)5041
 9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)5550
 5%
4th Grade Mathematics (Sterling Elementary School)5850
 8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Sterling Public Schools)5850
 8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)5158
 7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Sterling Elementary School)4542
 3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Sterling Public Schools)4542
 3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)5449
 5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students116135
 16.4%
African American20
 100%
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic310
 233.3%
Pacific Islander00
White111124
 11.7%
Two or More Races01
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients31%40.7%
 9.7%

Schools Near Sterling Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Sterling Elementary School

Students who attend Sterling Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Sterling High School

Students at Sterling Elementary School are 93% White, 6% Hispanic.

In the 2023-24 school year, 143 students attended Sterling Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Nebraska Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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