D−

Niobrara Public Schools

Public school districtGrades PK–12Regional · 8 towns

Serves Hill Township, Niobrara Township, Niobrara, Raymond Township, Spade Township, Sparta Township, Union Township and Verdel, and parts of Harrison Township and Western Township.

Students

211

Schools

Spent per student

$25,018

NE $15,602

Students per teacher

10:1

Debt

$1.2M

fiscal 2024

The gist

What stands out about Niobrara Public Schools

School Grade D−: better than 4% of North Dakota districts
Math proficiency 24 pts below the state
Reading / language arts 16 pts below the state
Graduation rate (4-year) 11 pts below the state
Spends 60% more per student than the NE average
10 students per teacher
Enrollment up 14.7% since 2020
Debt of $1.2M, about $5,474 per student

Where would my kid go?

The school path for McKinnon Township.

PK–6Kensal Elementary SchoolKensal Public School District 19

7–12Kensal High SchoolKensal Public School District 19

Test scores vs. NE

2020–21

Math proficiency22%

State average 46.1%

Reading / language arts32%

State average 48.2%

Graduation rate (4-year)75%

State average 86% · small group: the state reports 50–100%

Where the money goes

fiscal 2024

$25,018 per student · 60% above NE

Spending

Classroom instruction 71%Support & administration 25%Other 4%

Paid for by

Local (mostly property tax) 24%State 28%Federal 48%

U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances.

Enrollment over time

184’20

182’21

214’22

220’23

211’24

Up 14.7% since 2020.

Students

American Indian/Alaska Native 65%White 32%Two or more races 1%Hispanic <1%Asian <1%

Schools in the district

2 public schools.

Niobrara Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Niobrara

C−

134 students15:1

Niobrara Secondary School

High · Grades 7–12 · Niobrara

77 students6:1

Towns served

Hill Township 459Niobrara Township 397Niobrara 353Raymond Township 132Spade Township 104Sparta Township 98 Union Township 96 Verdel 33

Nearby districts

Compare spending and schools next door.

Verdigre Public SchoolsBohemia Township, Valley Township, Verdigre Township

$22,307per student

Bloomfield Community SchoolsAddison Township, Central Township, Peoria Township

$20,429per student

Crofton Community SchoolsAddison Township, Herrick Township

$18,197per student

Boyd County SchoolsBush Township, Steel Creek Township

$20,040per student

District facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES directory and district boundaries) and the U.S. Census Bureau school finance survey. Test scores and graduation: EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Neighbor ratings are opinions.