Middle Schools in Norfolk Public Schools

The Norfolk Public Schools district in Nebraska operates two middle schools: Norfolk Junior High School and Norfolk Middle School. Both schools serve grades 5-8 and face similar challenges, with neither standing out as a clear academic performer.

Neither Norfolk Junior High School nor Norfolk Middle School are performing exceptionally well, with both schools ranked relatively low in the state and receiving a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. The schools' proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics are generally below the state averages, and they both struggle with high chronic absenteeism rates of 19.3%, significantly higher than the state average. Additionally, the schools serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with free and reduced lunch rates exceeding 57%.

While Norfolk Junior High School has a higher spending per student of $16,612 compared to $13,970 for Norfolk Middle School, this additional funding does not appear to be translating into better academic outcomes. The student-teacher ratios at both schools are relatively low, suggesting that factors beyond just funding and staffing may be contributing to the overall underperformance. The district may need to implement targeted interventions and strategies to address the underlying issues and improve the academic performance of these middle schools.