The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Gordon-rushville Elem-gordon
Gordon-Rushville Elementary-Gordon is a regular public elementary school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in the small rural town of Gordon, located in the Nebraska sandhills. It is part of the Gordon-Rushville Public Schools district. The school’s grade band means it does not have a graduation rate, and state testing data applies only to the grades it serves.
Gordon is a compact town of about a square mile, set in a region where agriculture, ranching, and cattle feeding anchor the economy. The town also acts as a retail and service hub for surrounding ranchlands and the nearby Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian Reservations. Population has been declining over the last several decades, though local economic activity has shown some resilience. Housing in the area is notably more affordable than state or national averages, which may matter for families looking to buy. The town has limited pedestrian infrastructure and street life; most residents drive. There are city parks, a nine-hole golf course, and a small museum dedicated to author Mari Sandoz. No major new housing developments or large construction projects were identified in publicly available sources.
The school enrolls a small number of students for its grade band. The student body is majority white, with a meaningful share of American Indian or Alaska Native students, and smaller shares of students who are two or more races, Hispanic, and Asian. Data on students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, students with disabilities, and English learners were not available. A family looking into the school may want to ask the district directly about the share of students receiving meal assistance or special education services.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, no students in any tested grade (third, fourth, and fifth) scored at the proficient level in math, English language arts, or science. This is a significant drop from earlier years covered in multi-year trend data, which showed a substantial share of students achieving proficiency. The trend data, covering a span of several years, indicates that recent scores are lower than in the past. Because the comparison cohort within Sheridan County was too small for meaningful benchmarking, it is not possible to say how this school’s current performance stacks up against neighboring schools. A parent may want to discuss this pattern with the school or district to understand what factors contributed to the decline and what steps are being taken.
No information was available about course offerings, after-school programs, staffing ratios, discipline rates, or chronic absenteeism. The district brief did not turn up any recent changes such as curriculum shifts, referenda, or property-tax adjustments that would be relevant for families.
Gordon-Rushville Elementary-Gordon serves a small, rural community with a shrinking population and an economy tied to agriculture. The school’s student body is racially diverse, particularly in its representation of Native American students. The academic picture is one of low recent test scores, following a period with stronger results. Families considering this school will likely want to engage directly with the school about academic support, special programs, and what the daily environment is like for students.
See more original research from School Decision →