Best High Schools in Zip Code 68845

The 68845 zip code area is home to two high schools: Kearney High School and West Kearney High School. Kearney High School is the larger and higher-performing of the two, with a 3-star statewide ranking and strong academic performance across various metrics. In contrast, West Kearney High School has consistently ranked in the bottom tier of Nebraska high schools, suggesting it may be a smaller, more specialized or alternative option in the area.

Kearney High School has a significantly larger student population of 1,654 students, compared to West Kearney High School's 54 students. Kearney High School students outperformed the state and district averages in ACT/ELA, ACT/Math, and ACT/Science proficiency, while West Kearney High School had a much lower free/reduced lunch rate of 5.56% compared to Kearney High School's 37.79%. This suggests the student populations may have different socioeconomic backgrounds, which could contribute to the performance differences observed.

The lower student-teacher ratio at West Kearney High School (2.7:1) compared to Kearney High School (18:1) indicates that West Kearney may provide a more personalized learning environment, which could be beneficial for its smaller student population. Overall, the data highlights the contrast between the two high schools, with Kearney High School being the larger, higher-performing, and more prominent school in the area, while West Kearney High School appears to be a smaller, lower-performing, and potentially more specialized or alternative high school option.