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B+
Schools in Valley · Douglas County West Community Schools

Valley’s public schools outscore 68% of Nebraska districts

In Valley, 55% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Nebraska average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving Valley, 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.

#20of 57 Nebraska townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
50%
▲ 3 pts vs NE 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
55%
▲ 9 pts vs NE 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 8–13 pts vs NE 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.1K
▼ 3% vs NE $15.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.2
NE 13.8 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
1,096 students on the public path
In brief

Valley’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 194 Nebraska towns with household incomes within a quarter of Valley’s, its schools beat 56%, lower than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 50% and math 55% in spring 2022, against 47% and 46% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,099 per student, against $15,602 across Nebraska (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Douglas Co West Middle School, then Douglas Co West High School. Enrollment is up 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Valley’s grade

B Test scoresB+ Graduation

B+: better than 68% of Nebraska school districts, #20 of 57 Nebraska towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Nebraska average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Nebraska school districts we grade (244)Better than 68%
Lower resultsHigher results
Nebraska towns with similar household incomes (194)Better than 56%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 498 test results and a graduating class of 68 could put Valley anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Valley’s students in the tested grades sat them (497 in math, 498 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Valley, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Douglas Co West Elementary SCHDouglas County West Community SchoolsB−
6–8Douglas Co West Middle SchoolDouglas County West Community SchoolsB−
9–12Douglas Co West High SchoolDouglas County West Community SchoolsC

Valley’s public schools are run by Douglas County West Community Schools, which also serves Waterloo. 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.

Douglas County West Community SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,096 students, up 11% since 2020–21 · 12.2 per teacher (NE 13.8)
$15,099NE $15,602 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading50%
State average 47.1% · 498 students tested
Math55%
State average 46% · 497 students tested

Valley vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Nebraska towns that share Valley’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ValleyB+Douglas County West
Leshara—Yutan PK–12 · Mead PK–12

Every school in Valley

3 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).

District schools in Valleyby address
Douglas Co West Elementary SCH
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B−
537 students13:1Rate it →
Douglas Co West Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
233 students10:1Rate it →
Douglas Co West High School
High · Grades 9–12
C
326 students12:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Douglas Co West Falcon Achievement Center).

Questions about Valley’s schools

Are Valley’s schools good?

By Nebraska’s own tests, yes: the public schools Valley children attend outscore 68% of Nebraska’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #20 of 57 Nebraska towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 56%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Valley in?

Douglas County West Community Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,096 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Valley kids go to high school?

Douglas Co West High School, with 326 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Valley’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Douglas County West Community Schools graduated in four years, against 87% across Nebraska.

How much does Valley spend per student?

$15,099 in Douglas County West Community Schools (FY2024), against $15,602 across Nebraska. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Valley families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Valley → 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.