The top reported proficiency rate is 16% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Starr Elementary School
Starr Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Grand Island, Nebraska, as part of the Grand Island Public Schools district. The school opened fairly recently, a new building that replaced an older facility, which means families with children entering the district will find a modern physical plant. The school is a regular public school and is not a charter or magnet school.
The student body at Starr is diverse and comes from a wide range of backgrounds. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common indicator of a school serving a community with significant economic need. The student population is predominantly Hispanic, with White students making up the next largest group, followed by smaller numbers of Black students, students of two or more races, and small shares of Asian and American Indian or Alaska Native students. This composition gives the school a richly multicultural peer environment.
State assessment results for Starr Elementary present a mixed picture that a parent will want to examine closely. In English language arts, proficiency rates varied by grade level, with a notable gap. While one tested grade level had nearly half of students meeting the state standard, the overall proficiency rate across all tested grades was lower. In mathematics, the proficiency rates across grades three, four, and five were very low, indicating a significant area of challenge. Science results for the only tested grade, fifth, showed no students reaching proficiency. Overall, the school’s combined proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among the four school districts in Hall County. A parent considering Starr should look into what specific academic interventions and supports the school provides to address these areas.
The broader context of Grand Island matters for understanding the school’s environment. The city is a major regional hub for central Nebraska, combining agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare. The presence of large employers like Hornady ammunition, CHI Health St. Francis Hospital, and a major Union Pacific freight rail hub provides economic stability. The city has invested in revitalization, particularly in the historic downtown Railside district. However, the city is largely auto-dependent, as it lacks fixed-route public transit and relies on a demand-responsive system requiring advance reservations. Housing values in the area surrounding the school are below the state average, and rents are moderate relative to income, which can make the neighborhood accessible for many families.
The district brief notes a recent significant change. Starr Elementary School itself was opened in the late 2010s as a new building. This construction likely shifted attendance boundaries and provided updated facilities for the neighborhoods it serves, a lasting impact for families zoned to this school. Beyond that, the available district information did not surface other major parent-relevant changes in recent years.
In summary, Starr Elementary offers a modern facility and serves a highly diverse student body in a city that is a significant economic and cultural center for central Nebraska. The school community has high economic need, and state academic outcomes, particularly in math and science, are low, which a parent should discuss with the school to understand what targeted help is available. The peer environment is a strong draw for families seeking a multicultural setting, but the academic pathway will require active engagement from home.
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