Hershey Public Schools, NE

Original Research by School Decision on Hershey Public Schools

Hershey Public Schools is a small, rural district in Lincoln County, Nebraska, serving about students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district has two school buildings, an elementary school and a high school, and the student body is overwhelmingly white, with a small Hispanic population making up the next largest group. This is a district where the school is the center of the community, and for families looking for a tight-knit, stable setting, that is the primary character of the place.

On state assessments, the district shows a pattern that varies by grade and subject, but the overall picture is one of solid to strong academic performance, particularly in the middle elementary grades. In fourth grade, reading proficiency was high, and math proficiency was very high, placing among the strongest results in the district. Fifth and sixth grades also posted strong reading and math scores, with reading proficiency notably high in both grades. Third grade, however, was a relative soft spot in reading, where fewer than half of students met the proficiency benchmark, and a parent may want to inquire about early literacy support. Seventh grade reading was below the stronger middle-grade results. Math and reading results for eighth grade, as well as science results for fifth and eighth grades, were not reported, likely due to small group sizes that trigger data suppression, a common occurrence in a district this size. Parents interested in those specific grades should ask the school directly for context.

The district is perhaps most distinguished by its very low rate of chronic absenteeism, which sits well below the other districts in Lincoln County. This is a meaningful strength. It suggests a student body that is consistently in class, and a school environment where attendance is a priority. In terms of academic growth, the district's overall proficiency index, which averages results across tested grades and subjects, was higher than that of its county peers. That is a straightforward signal that students here are generally performing at a stronger academic level than in the surrounding area.

The data on student economic background, special education, and English learner populations was not reported in the available information, so it is not possible to describe the district's equity context or the level of support for diverse learning needs. A family with a child who has an individualized education plan or is an English learner should ask the district directly about staffing ratios, program structure, and available services.

Housing in the district's attendance area is centered on the village of Hershey, with some influence from the larger nearby city. Home values in the district are moderate compared to state and national benchmarks, and the rental market is limited. The cost of owning a home is generally lower than renting an equivalent property here, which is the reverse of the national trend. The district's per-pupil spending is on the lower end among Lincoln County districts, which may reflect the area's overall lower cost of living and tax base as much as any specific funding choice.

There was no publicly reported information about recent district changes, strategic initiatives, or facility improvements, so this account cannot speak to any plans for new programs, renovations, or curriculum shifts. A parent looking into this district will want to visit the schools, attend a board meeting, and talk with the administration directly to get a sense of current priorities and direction. For a family that values a small, rural school with consistent attendance, strong academic results in the core elementary and middle school years, and a student body that is largely homogeneous, Hershey Public Schools appears to deliver a straightforward, well-functioning educational experience. The gaps in available data mean that families with specific needs should do a bit of their own digging.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

542

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 7%

White 91%

Two+ 2%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

Schools in this District

2 schools are officially reported under this district.

HERSHEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

HERSHEY HIGH SCHOOL

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

4 grades reported

65%

Grade 3

88%

Grade 4

77%

Grade 5

79%

Grade 6

English Language Arts

5 grades reported

52%

Grade 3

79%

Grade 4

83%

Grade 5

82%

Grade 6

69%

Grade 7

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$252,985

Year-over-year change+5.9%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$215K to $272K

vs. state typical0.91x

vs. national typical0.69x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
69143	Hershey	$272K	+5.5%	64.4%
69101	North Platte	$215K	+6.8%	32.7%
69165	Sutherland	$231K	+3.3%	1.0%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,021/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (1 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
69101	North Platte	$1,021	—	32.7%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,277/mo

Home price / national median income3.0x

Annual rent / national median income14.6%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$256/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$279,080 (+3.4% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.