The top reported proficiency rate is 70% in Science. The lowest is 45% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Crete Middle School
Crete Middle School serves sixth through eighth grade in the Crete Public Schools district, a regular public school in the small city of Crete, Nebraska. The school enrolls a student body that is majority Hispanic, with white students forming the next largest group and smaller numbers of Asian, Black, multiracial, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native students. More than half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a school community where economic need is substantial. The school does not report data for students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent seeking a full picture of special populations should ask the school directly.
On state assessments, Crete Middle School shows a pattern of uneven performance subject by subject. In the most recent testing year, eighth graders posted the strongest results across the board, with a clear majority meeting proficiency in reading and a solid majority doing so in math. Science proficiency among eighth graders was also in the majority range. The story is different for sixth and seventh graders. In reading, fewer than half of sixth graders and roughly a third of seventh graders scored proficient. In math, the pattern is similar: under half of sixth and seventh graders met the bar. The school’s overall proficiency index lands in the bottom quartile relative to the other districts in Saline County, a comparison set that includes just a few districts, so that position reflects a narrow local context. Multi-year trend data shows the school’s science proficiency has moved downward from a higher point, while math and reading results have been fairly stable in a moderate range. A parent watching these numbers may want to ask the school about what academic supports are in place for the younger middle school grades, where the gaps are largest.
Crete itself is a small city with a working economy built around manufacturing, educational services, and retail trade. Doane University is located here, giving the town a distinct campus presence alongside its traditional downtown and City Hall area. The built environment is car-oriented: most residents drive alone to work. Housing values sit below the state benchmark, which may make the area more accessible relative to pricier Nebraska markets. The city has seen modest population growth in recent years and has a dedicated local sales tax for economic development and capital construction.
No recent district-level changes or initiatives were publicly reported in a way that would give a parent clear signals about direction at the middle school. The district’s public profile offers only basic directory information with no lasting parent-relevant developments from the last several years. That absence is a gap worth noting: a family considering Crete Middle School may want to call the district office to ask about current priorities, curriculum shifts, or support programs, since the public record provides little guidance.
Crete Middle School is a mid-sized public school in a small, car-dependent city with a modest cost of living. Its academic results are strongest in eighth grade and weaker in the earlier middle grades, especially in reading. A parent considering this school would do well to look closely at how the school addresses student learning in sixth and seventh grade, and to ask about supports for both general academics and the students who are economically disadvantaged.
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