The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in Science. The lowest is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Stoddard Elementary School
Stoddard Elementary School serves students in third through fifth grade in Beatrice, a small Midwestern city that is the county seat of Gage County, located south of Lincoln. The school is a regular public school within the Beatrice Public Schools district. It enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with a notable share of Hispanic students and a smaller number of students identifying as two or more races. A substantial portion of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a lower-income context relative to many of its peers.
State assessment results paint an uneven picture. In mathematics, proficiency rates were reported as very low across all three grade levels, a pattern that a parent would want to investigate further with the school. English language arts proficiency was mixed, with third graders reaching roughly half proficient, fourth graders below that mark, and fifth graders in a similar range. Science results, available only for fifth grade, were markedly stronger, with a substantial majority of students meeting the proficiency bar. Multi-year trend data, available for a limited span, suggest that proficiency in math, ELA, and science has declined over recent years, though the number of data points is small and changes in assessment or cut scores may affect comparability.
When placed against other districts in Gage County, Stoddard's overall proficiency index sits in the bottom quartile. Only a handful of districts in the county had reported data, so the comparison set is narrow. Because Stoddard is an elementary school serving only grades three through five, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data was not available.
The school is located in Beatrice, a community that has experienced modest recent growth. The city has a traditional downtown anchored by the county courthouse and promoted by a local main street organization. Civic amenities include a national historical park, a museum, trails, a theater, and a state recreation area. Major employers in the area include a state developmental center, a community hospital, and county government. Housing costs in the area are below national and state benchmarks, with home values and rents that are moderate relative to incomes, making the area relatively affordable. The district itself did not have any recent major changes or initiatives reported in publicly available sources, so parents looking for information on new programs or strategic shifts may need to contact the district directly.
The overall picture at Stoddard Elementary is one of a school serving a sizable share of economically disadvantaged students in a small, affordable Midwestern city. Academic performance is strongest in science, while proficiency in math and reading is lower than many would hope, particularly in math. Families considering this school may want to ask about specific instructional supports in mathematics, how the school addresses the needs of its low-income population, and what interventions or programs are in place to reverse the downward trend in proficiency. The school does not appear to offer specialized magnet or charter programs; it operates as a regular elementary school within a traditional public district. The surrounding community provides a range of civic and recreational resources, and housing is relatively accessible. For a parent weighing options, Stoddard is a school where a closer look at classroom practice and student support would be worthwhile.
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