The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in English language arts. The lowest is 70% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lyons-decatur Northeast Schs
Lyons-Decatur Northeast Schools serves a rural stretch of Burt County, Nebraska, from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in two buildings. Northeast Elementary at Lyons and Northeast Secondary School together enroll a student body that is small for a district covering a full K-12 span. The district’s demographic makeup is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic students and American Indian or Alaska Native students, and even smaller numbers of students who identify with other racial groups. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, on students with disabilities, and on English learners was not available, so a parent would need to ask the district directly about the level of economic diversity and the range of special education and language support services.
On the 2024-25 Nebraska state assessments, the district saw a mixed set of results, though thin small-class-size suppression means only a few grade-subject combinations are reportable. In fifth-grade mathematics, a substantial majority of students scored proficient, and the sixth-grade math result was similarly strong. In eighth-grade English language arts, the proficient share was notably high, with all but a small handful of students meeting the bar. For several other grades in math, English, and science, proficiency data was suppressed, likely due to very small tested groups. This is common in a district of this enrollment size, but it also means a parent cannot see a full picture of academic performance across all cohorts. The science assessment results for fifth and eighth grade were both suppressed as well.
Compared with the other district in Burt County, Lyons-Decatur Northeast’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades lands in the top quartile, indicating that where results are reportable, the district’s performance sits on the stronger side locally. At the same time, the district’s rate of chronic absenteeism falls in the bottom quartile among the two county districts, with a rate that suggests a notable share of students are missing enough school to affect learning. A parent may wish to ask the school what steps are being taken to address attendance patterns.
The district spends per pupil at a level well above the other Burt County district, in the upper range of the county comparison. The housing market in the towns the district covers shows a mix of values. The area includes Decatur, Craig, Oakland, and other small communities, with typical home values ranging from the lower end of the county spectrum up to a level closer to the state’s typical value, though still below the national benchmark. Home values have risen over the past year at a rate that outpaces both the state and national averages, a trend that may matter for a family considering a move into the district. The estimated monthly mortgage on a median-priced home here, given current interest rates, falls well below the national typical payment, reflecting the relatively lower home prices in this part of Nebraska.
We looked for recent district-level changes, bond issues, program launches, or facility updates that would matter to a parent, and found little of lasting impact publicly reported. That may reflect the size of the district and the locally focused nature of such news. A family considering this district would likely want to contact the central office directly for information on current course offerings, extracurriculars, and any strategic plans.
This is a very small, rural district with two school buildings serving the full K-12 range. The academic data that is visible shows solid proficiency in the grades and subjects where it can be reported, but the picture is incomplete due to the suppression that comes with small cohorts. Chronic absenteeism is a concern that stands out in the data. The district’s higher per-pupil spending relative to its county neighbor may reflect the diseconomies of scale that come with running a full K-12 system for a small student population. For a family that values a small, community-grounded school environment and is comfortable with a limited window into year-to-year academic trends, Lyons-Decatur Northeast is a plausible local option. Families who want a fuller academic data trail or who are concerned about attendance rates may want to probe further with the school.
See more original research from School Decision →