- Enrollment
- 329
- Students per teacher
- 13.2:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Sidney, NE
South Ward Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for South Ward Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 42/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 317671001603
👥 S:T ratio 20
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 48
📋 Attendance 72
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Ward Elementary School earns 42/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 95% of Nebraska schools.
- #3 of 3
- elementary schools in Sidney · Resource Index
- 42
- Resource Index · Typical
- 20.1:1
- large classes for Nebraska
- 45.1%
- free-lunch eligible
South Ward Elementary School has class sizes larger than 95% of Nebraska schools. Computed live against every Nebraska school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Ward Elementary School ranks #3 of 3 elementary schools in Sidney, NE.
School address
District: Sidney Public Schools · Nebraska
NCES ID 317671001603 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+19 students YoY
South Ward Elementary School grew from 162 students in 2022-23 to 181 in 2023-24 (+11.7%).
Teacher FTE held 13.5 → 13.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+19 students YoY 317671001603 · Sidney, NE Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
261 enr · 20.1:1 · 45.1% lunch · RII 42
Nearest enrollment peer: Sidney High School (329 students)
South Ward Elementary School grew from 162 students in 2022-23 to 181 in 2023-24 (+11.7%). Teacher FTE held 13.5 → 13.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Nebraska schools → · Find another →
South Ward Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Sidney High Sc
Sidney High School
329 students
- This school
South Ward Elementary School
261 students
- West Elementar
West Elementary School
238 students
- Central Elemen
Central Elementary School
223 students
- North Ward Ele
North Ward Elementary School
186 students
- Sidney Middle
Sidney Middle School
152 students
What this shows South Ward Elementary School reports 261 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Ward Elementary School compares
South Ward 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 | 20.1:1 | ▲ 49% | 13.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 45.1% | ▲ 46% | 30.9% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 261 | top 46% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
20.1:1
Leaner classes than 16% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
261
Bigger than 27% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
45.1%
free-lunch eligible
- 46% above the Nebraska average of 30.9%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
20.1:1
students per teacher
- 49% above state mean
Top 95% in Nebraska - lower ratio than 5% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
11.1%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 10-15% range, above the pre-pandemic national baseline but within the broader post-pandemic picture.
Funding equity
$13,629
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 261 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 5 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 1.9 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 90.4%
Hispanic or Latino 6.9%
Two or More 1.9%
African American 0.8%
Largest group: White at 90.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 17.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 17.8, South Ward Elementary School is less mixed than the Nebraska school average of 34.9.
Programs
District finance for Sidney Public Schools reports $13,629 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Ward Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| West Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Central Elementary School | Similar size | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| North Ward Elementary School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Sidney Middle School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Ward Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 238
- Students per teacher
- 18.3:1
- Resource Index
- 49/100
- Enrollment
- 223
- Students per teacher
- 20.3:1
- Resource Index
- 47/100
- Enrollment
- 186
- Students per teacher
- 14.3:1
- Resource Index
- 56/100
- Enrollment
- 152
- Students per teacher
- 12.7:1
- Resource Index
- 50/100
Nationwide elementary 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 (~261 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Ward Elementary School
How many students attend South Ward Elementary School?
South Ward Elementary School has 261 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Sidney, NE. CCD year-over-year: 162 (2022-23) → 181 (2023-24), up 19.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Ward Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Ward Elementary School is 20.1:1, which is 49% higher than the Nebraska average of 13.5:1 and 28% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Ward Elementary School?
45.1% of students at South Ward Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Nebraska average of 30.9%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Ward Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at South Ward Elementary School is White at 90.4% of enrollment, in Sidney, NE.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Ward Elementary School?
South Ward Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 42/100 (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 South Ward Elementary School rank among elementary schools in Sidney?
By Resource Investment Index, South Ward Elementary School ranks #3 of 3 elementary schools in Sidney, NE. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Sidney on the city page.
What other schools are in Sidney Public Schools?
Besides South Ward Elementary School, Sidney Public Schools also operates Sidney High School (329 students), West Elementary School (238 students), and Central Elementary School (223 students). See the Sidney Public Schools district page for the complete list.