Photo: Brad Mellema · CC BY-SA 4.0Grand Island’s public schools score below 85% of Nebraska districts on tests and graduation
Reading proficiency in Grand Island’s districts is 34%, below the Nebraska average (47%). The grade covers the public school district serving Grand Island, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Nebraska, not nationally.
From Nebraska state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Grand Island’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 34% of tested students were proficient in reading and 35% in math, against 47% and 46% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across Nebraska. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,130 per student, against $15,602 across Nebraska (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
13 elementary schools, then three middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Central Catholic Middle & High School (private) and Heartland Lutheran High School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Grand Island’s grade
C−: better than 15% of Nebraska school districts, #52 of 57 Nebraska towns. Both inputs trail the Nebraska average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Grand Island, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Grand Island · depends on your address
Walnut Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 777 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Westridge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 694 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Barr Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 648 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Grand Island · depends on your address
Walnut Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 777 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Westridge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 694 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Barr Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 648 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Grand Island · depends on your address
Walnut Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 777 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Westridge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 694 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Barr Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 648 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Grand Island
Grand Island Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,696 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Grand Island
Grand Island Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,696 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Grand Island
Grand Island Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,696 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Grand Island
Grand Island Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,696 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Grand Island’s public schools are run by Grand Island Public Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Grand Island vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Nebraska towns that share Grand Island’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Island | C− | Grand Island |
Every school in Grand Island
22 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Nebraska’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Islander Annex, Skills Academy, Indra House and Career Pathways Institute).
Questions about Grand Island’s schools
Are Grand Island’s schools good?
On Nebraska’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Grand Island children attend score below 85% of Nebraska’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #52 of 57 Nebraska towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Grand Island in?
Grand Island Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 9,983 students in 19 schools (2024–25).
Where do Grand Island kids go to high school?
Grand Island Senior High School, with 2,696 students; its own test results earn a D.
What is Grand Island’s graduation rate?
82% of the class of 2023 in Grand Island Public Schools graduated in four years, against 87% across Nebraska.
How much does Grand Island spend per student?
$14,130 in Grand Island Public Schools (FY2024), against $15,602 across Nebraska. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Grand Island?
Yes: Central Catholic Middle & High School (Catholic, grades 6–12, 302 students) and Heartland Lutheran High School (religious, grades 9–12, 60 students).
Parents talk
What Grand Island families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Grand Island → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Nebraska. Stars are from neighbors.