The top reported proficiency rate is 73% in Science. The lowest is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Doniphan-trumbull Secondary
Doniphan-Trumbull Secondary is the public school for grades seven through twelve serving the village of Doniphan and the surrounding rural area in Hall County, Nebraska. The school is part of the Doniphan-Trumbull Public Schools district and is the only secondary option in the community. The village itself is small, set in an agricultural region between Grand Island and Hastings, with a compact downtown along West Plum Street and limited commercial services. The school is integrated into the village rather than on a separate campus, and civic life in Doniphan is closely tied to school activities.
The student body is modest in size and overwhelmingly white, with a small Hispanic presence. Roughly a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate share of families with lower incomes. Special education and English learner counts were not reported, so it is unclear what level of additional support is available. The school serves grades seven through twelve, which means it covers the middle and high school years in one building.
State assessment results from the most recent year show a sharp split in academic performance. Proficiency in mathematics was very low across the tested grades, with essentially no students reaching the proficient level. Reading scores were mixed: grade eight reading showed a solid majority of students proficient, but grade seven reading was similarly very low. Science proficiency at grade eight was strong. When combined into a composite measure across tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall performance placed it in the bottom quarter among Hall County’s districts. This is a clear soft spot, and a parent considering this school may want to ask the school directly about math instruction and how it supports students who are not yet on grade level.
Because the school serves high school grades, a graduation rate would normally be reported, but that data was missing from the available records. That gap could reflect the small enrollment making rate calculations unstable, or it may simply be missing from public reporting. Chronic absenteeism data was also unavailable. Those are notable gaps for any parent evaluating high school outcomes.
The local housing market is somewhat more expensive than the Nebraska average, with typical home values close to the national median. Mortgages at current rates would be a stretch for a household earning the national median income, but the area’s cost of living is generally lower than in larger metros. Rents appear modest relative to income, making renting a more feasible option than buying for many.
The community is working to grow. The Doniphan Economic Development Corporation has pursued new housing subdivisions, commercial additions like a warehouse, and water-line extensions to encourage development, though the village population has been stable or slightly declining over recent decades. Major local employers include the school itself, an electric utility, heavy equipment dealers, and a bank. The village hosts the Nebraska Trapshooting Association’s grounds, which draw visitors from multiple states, and has a community event center that anchors local gatherings.
In sum, Doniphan-Trumbull Secondary offers a small, rural setting where school and town are intertwined. Academically, the school shows real strength in grade eight science, but math proficiency is a significant concern, and the composite picture is weak relative to other Hall County districts. A family moving here would want to understand how the school addresses foundational math skills and what pathways are available for high school students, since data on college preparation, dual credit, or career programs was not available. The absence of a reported graduation rate and chronic absenteeism rate also leaves important questions unanswered.
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