Best Public Schools in Malcolm, NE

The city of Malcolm, Nebraska is home to two schools - Malcolm Elementary School and Malcolm Junior/Senior High School, both part of the Malcolm Public Schools district. While Malcolm Elementary stands out as a top-performing school in the state, the secondary school has room for improvement.

Malcolm Elementary School is a standout, consistently ranking in the top 15% of Nebraska elementary schools with a 4-star rating. Its students significantly outperform state averages on standardized tests, with over 70% proficiency in 3rd-6th grade ELA and 74%+ in 3rd and 6th grade Math. The school also has relatively low chronic absenteeism at 19.3% and spends a high $16,250 per student. In contrast, Malcolm Junior/Senior High School, while still above state averages, has seen its statewide ranking decline from 33rd to 74th over the past 3 years, and its 4-year graduation rate of 87.9% is good but not exceptional.

Overall, the Malcolm Public Schools district ranks 30th out of 115 districts in Nebraska and has a 4-star rating, indicating the district is doing something right. However, the stark contrast in performance between the elementary and secondary schools suggests a need to examine the transition and alignment between the two levels, as well as investigate the drivers behind the significant $1,781 per student spending difference.