The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Science. The lowest is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School, one of several elementary buildings in the North Platte Public Schools district, serves children from preschool through fifth grade in a regular, non-charter public school setting. It sits on West 9th Street in North Platte, a historic railroad town anchored by Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, the largest rail classification yard in the world. The city itself blends older downtown commercial areas like the Canteen District with newer development concentrated near the Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 83 interchange. Union Pacific is the dominant employer, and the recent opening of a large meatpacking plant signals new industrial growth in a community that has seen stable population numbers over the long term. The larger housing market in the area is moderately priced relative to state and national benchmarks, and the town’s overall character is auto-oriented, with a walkable downtown pocket.
The student body at Lincoln Elementary numbers a few hundred, spread fairly evenly across kindergarten through fifth grade, with a separate preschool group. The population is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic share and small representations of students who are Black, Native American, Asian, or of two or more races. Data on the share of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, students with disabilities, and English learners were not reported, leaving an incomplete picture of the school’s economic and support-service profile.
State assessment results from the most recent testing year offer a mixed picture. In English language arts, Lincoln’s fifth graders posted a proficiency rate that was modest, while the data for third and fourth graders in that subject were reported at a very low figure. Mathematics results across all three tested grades were reported at zero percent proficient, which is striking. Parents will want to understand what this figure represents, as an outright zero can sometimes reflect a small cohort size, a testing anomaly, or a change in assessment; it is worth asking the school or district directly about the context behind these math results. In science, tested only in fifth grade, more than half of students met the proficiency bar, which is a relative bright spot when placed against the other subjects. The overall proficiency index, which averages performance across all tested subjects and grades, lands Lincoln Elementary in the bottom quarter when compared to other elementary schools in the six-district Lincoln County area. This comparison set is limited to county districts, so it does not speak to how the school stacks up state-wide.
Because the school serves only through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data was unavailable for this entry. These are not gaps in the school’s offerings but rather measures that apply to secondary campuses. The district’s strategic priorities and recent changes were searched for but little of lasting impact was found, so it would be a good idea to check with the district office directly if major initiatives are a factor in your decision.
The building’s course access, staffing ratios, and discipline data are also absent from the available records, which means a parent or guardian considering Lincoln Elementary should plan to visit the school and speak with the principal about class sizes, support services for students who are behind grade level, and how the school identifies and addresses academic challenges. Given the reported math figures especially, understanding what interventions or curriculum shifts are in place would be a practical next step.
Lincoln Elementary is a traditional neighborhood public school in a stable, railroad-town setting that has seen some new industrial investment. The community is car-dependent, with a modest housing cost environment compared to much of Nebraska and the nation. For families who are weighing this school against others in North Platte or the surrounding county, the academic data points to clear areas that require follow-up, particularly in mathematics and early literacy. The science result is a counterweight worth noting. Ultimately, this is a school where the published test results raise legitimate questions, and the absence of other contextual data means those questions cannot be fully answered from public numbers alone.
See more original research from School Decision →