The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in Science. The lowest is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hartington-newcastle Elem at Hartington
Hartington-Newcastle Elementary at Hartington serves students from preschool through sixth grade in a small rural town that is the county seat of Cedar County. The school is part of the Hartington Newcastle Public Schools district and is a regular public school. Enrollment is modest for its grade span, and the student body is predominantly white, with a small share of Hispanic students and a small group identifying as two or more races. Slightly more than two in five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a notable level of economic need among families.
State testing results present a complex picture. In the most recent assessments, math proficiency rates were reported at a very low level across grades three through six, and English language arts rates were similarly low for grades three through five. Sixth-grade ELA showed a substantially higher proficiency rate, and fifth-grade science results were strong. However, the multi-year trend data suggests that overall ELA proficiency has moved from a higher level to a lower one in recent years, while math proficiency appears to have dropped to the very low mark seen in the latest year. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across tested subjects and grades, places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Cedar County. Given these patterns, a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the specific instructional context and any recent changes.
Because the school only serves grades PK through six, there is no graduation rate, and chronic absenteeism data was not available. Student discipline, staffing ratios, and course access information were also not provided in the data reviewed. These gaps are common for elementary-only schools, but interested families may wish to ask the district for more detail on student support and classroom resources.
The town of Hartington is a compact rural community with a historic downtown district featuring brick architecture, boutiques, dining, and civic buildings including the county courthouse, city hall, and a hotel listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Residential areas are mixed with commercial activity, and most residents drive to work. The town’s population has remained relatively stable. Recreational amenities include a community complex with athletic fields, a swimming pool, a golf course, and a county fairgrounds. The local economy is anchored by health care, education, and agriculture, with county government and the school district likely among the larger employers.
The district undertook a major facilities construction project in a recent fiscal year, recording substantial capital outlay. For a district of this size, that investment suggests ongoing attention to the physical learning environment. Families moving to the area will find housing values in Hartington somewhat below the state median, and the broader housing market in Cedar County shows prices lower than the national benchmark. This may make the area more accessible for homebuyers compared to many other parts of Nebraska.
See more original research from School Decision →