- Enrollment
- 1,663
- Students per teacher
- 18.5:1
- Resource Index
- 24/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Kearney, NE
Central Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Central Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 38/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 317239001102
👥 S:T ratio 37
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 43
📋 Attendance 44
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Central Elementary School earns 38/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 78% of Nebraska schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Nebraska schools.
- #11 of 12
- schools in Kearney · Resource Index
- 38
- Resource Index · Typical
- 15.8:1
- large classes for Nebraska
- 58.7%
- free-lunch eligible
Central Elementary School has class sizes larger than 78% of Nebraska schools. Computed live against every Nebraska school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Central Elementary School ranks #11 of 12 schools in Kearney, NE.
School address
District: Kearney Public Schools · Nebraska
NCES ID 317239001102 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+17 students YoY
Central Elementary School grew from 254 students in 2022-23 to 271 in 2023-24 (+6.7%).
Teacher FTE added 18.9 → 19.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+17 students YoY 317239001102 · Kearney, NE Other · SMALL · TRAD
284 enr · 15.8:1 · 58.7% lunch · RII 38
Nearest enrollment peer: Kearney High School (1,663 students)
Central Elementary School grew from 254 students in 2022-23 to 271 in 2023-24 (+6.7%). Teacher FTE added 18.9 → 19.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Nebraska schools → · Find another →
Central Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Kearney High S
Kearney High School
1,663 students
- Horizon Middle 648
Horizon Middle School
648 students
- Sunrise Middle 536
Sunrise Middle School
536 students
- Meadowlark Ele 417
Meadowlark Elementary School
417 students
- Kenwood Elemen 398
Kenwood Elementary School
398 students
- This school 284
Central Elementary School
284 students
What this shows Central Elementary School reports 284 students on the CCD universe file.
How Central Elementary School compares
Central Elementary School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Nebraska and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Nebraska | Nebraska avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.8:1 | ▲ 17% | 13.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 58.7% | ▲ 90% | 30.9% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 284 | top 42% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.8:1
Leaner classes than 40% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
284
Bigger than 30% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
58.7%
free-lunch eligible
- 90% above the Nebraska average of 30.9%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
15.8:1
students per teacher
- 17% above state mean
Top 78% in Nebraska - lower ratio than 22% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
22.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$11,473
per pupil, district-wide
- below Nebraska avg of $18,497
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 284 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
10
in-school suspensions + 5 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 3.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 5.3 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 53.2%
Hispanic or Latino 34.9%
African American 3.5%
Two or More 3.5%
Asian 2.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 1.4%
Largest group: White at 53.2% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 59.2/100
Simpson diversity index - at 59.2, Central Elementary School is more mixed than the Nebraska school average of 34.9.
Programs
District finance for Kearney Public Schools reports $11,473 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Central Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kearney High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Horizon Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Sunrise Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Meadowlark Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Kenwood Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Central Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 648
- Students per teacher
- 15.8:1
- Resource Index
- 31/100
- Enrollment
- 536
- Students per teacher
- 12.5:1
- Resource Index
- 24/100
- Enrollment
- 417
- Students per teacher
- 18.1:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
- Enrollment
- 398
- Students per teacher
- 15.9:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~284 students)
Frequently asked questions about Central Elementary School
How many students attend Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has 284 students enrolled. It is a public school in Kearney, NE. CCD year-over-year: 254 (2022-23) → 271 (2023-24), up 17.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 15.8:1, which is 17% higher than the Nebraska average of 13.5:1 and 1% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Central Elementary School?
58.7% of students at Central Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Nebraska average of 30.9%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Central Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Central Elementary School is White at 53.2% of enrollment, in Kearney, NE. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 59.2/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 38/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Central Elementary School rank among schools in Kearney?
By Resource Investment Index, Central Elementary School ranks #11 of 12 schools in Kearney, NE. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Kearney on the city page.
What other schools are in Kearney Public Schools?
Besides Central Elementary School, Kearney Public Schools also operates Kearney High School (1,663 students), Horizon Middle School (648 students), and Sunrise Middle School (536 students). See the Kearney Public Schools district page for the complete list.