The top reported proficiency rate is 23% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on St Paul Jr/sr High School
St. Paul Jr/Sr High School is a regular public school serving students in seventh through twelfth grade in the town of St. Paul, the county seat of Howard County. The school is part of the St. Paul Public Schools district. With an enrollment that is moderate for a combined junior-senior high school, it draws from a small, tight-knit community where the local economy is anchored by medical, construction, and agribusiness employers, supplemented by small shops, a distillery, and a winery. The town itself is characterized by a historic main street, tree-shaded streets, and civic landmarks such as the Howard County Courthouse and a baseball museum, all within a walkable downtown area. St. Paul has seen slow, steady population growth, and housing values in the zip code fall slightly below the national benchmark, offering a relatively affordable market for families.
Academically, the picture at this school is mixed and warrants a close look by any family considering it. State assessment results for the 2024-25 school year show a pattern that is highly uneven across subjects and grades. In the tested grades of seven and eight, math proficiency was reported at zero for both grades, and seventh-grade English language arts also posted a zero proficiency rate. Eighth-grade science similarly showed a zero proficiency rate. The only reported positive result came from eighth-grade English language arts, where about half of students met the proficiency standard. These figures come from Nebraska’s state assessments and reflect a single year’s snapshot. When viewed over a multi-year trend, the school’s performance appears to have declined from earlier years that showed higher proficiency rates, though the trend data should be interpreted cautiously because assessment changes may affect comparability. Overall, across all tested subjects and grades, this school’s proficiency index sits well below the midpoint relative to the other districts in Howard County, a small three-district cohort.
The student body is predominantly white, with a much smaller share of Hispanic students and even fewer students of other racial backgrounds. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that is moderate and reflects the economic diversity of the community. Data on students with individualized education plans and English learners was not available, so families with children who receive special education services or are learning English may want to ask the school directly about how those needs are met. Because this is a regular school serving seventh through twelfth grade, it does offer a high school program, but specific information on graduation rates, college and career readiness pathways, Advanced Placement or dual-credit course access, and discipline or chronic absenteeism rates was not provided in the available data. A parent choosing this school should expect to inquire about those dimensions directly, as they are central to understanding the high school experience.
The school’s location in St. Paul means that the broader community is a feature. The town’s mix of civic anchors, annual festivals, and a walkable center creates a setting where school and town life are intertwined. For families who value a small-town environment with known neighbors and a sense of place, this school sits at the heart of that. The district brief turned up no recent notable changes or initiatives, so a parent may want to ask about current priorities, staffing, and any program updates. In sum, St. Paul Jr/Sr High School offers a small-school environment in a stable, affordable community, but the academic results from the most recent testing year are a concern that any prospective family would want to explore further with the school to understand the context and any steps being taken.
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