The top reported proficiency rate is 77% in Science. The lowest is 0% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Northeast Elementary at Lyons
Northeast Elementary at Lyons sits in the town of Lyons, a small rural community in Burt County, Nebraska. This is a regular public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. The school is part of the Lyons-Decatur Northeast Schools district, which was formed when the Lyons and Decatur districts consolidated.
The student body is predominantly white, with a small share of American Indian or Alaska Native students and smaller numbers of Hispanic students and those of two or more races. The school enrolls children from early childhood through upper elementary, beginning with a full pre-kindergarten program. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, about average for a rural Nebraska elementary school. Data on the share of students receiving special education services or classified as English learners was not available for this school, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those support programs.
On the most recent state assessments, the school reported results for science at fifth grade, where a clear majority of students met the proficiency standard, a performance a parent would likely find reassuring for that subject. The story is different in reading and math. In reading, the school reported a zero percent proficiency rate at each grade level tested, third through sixth. In math, the same zero percent proficiency figure was reported for every tested grade. A parent reading these numbers will want to understand what is behind them. State testing data for very small schools can sometimes produce results that are difficult to interpret from the outside, and the scores at this school raise questions that are best directed to the district administration and the school principal. The school's multi-year trend data, showing a single year of reported figures, does not offer a basis for trend comparison on these subjects. A prospective parent should ask how the school tracks academic progress in reading and math at each grade level and what interventions are in place for students who need support.
The school environment data on staffing, discipline, and attendance was not reported here, so the picture of day-to-day school life is incomplete. The school does not appear to operate with a magnet or charter designation, and its Title I status was not listed in the available information.
Lyons itself is a compact, walkable small town. The civic core includes a public library, a community center, a new swimming pool built in the former brickyard clay pit, and a Storefront Theater on Main Street. The town was recognized as a Tree City USA. Housing is affordable relative to the state median, and home values have seen modest appreciation. The local economy is rooted in agriculture, with the Center for Rural Affairs providing an institutional anchor. The population has been declining, and capital investments have focused on upgrading existing facilities rather than building new housing.
What does this add up to for a family considering Northeast Elementary at Lyons? Families who value a small, rural school in an affordable community with a pre-kindergarten program will find that here. The school's science performance is a clear strength. The reported reading and math proficiency numbers are the standout concern. A parent with a child entering the elementary grades will want a direct conversation with the school about its curriculum, how it measures year-over-year growth, and what supports exist for students who are below grade level in reading and math. The school's small size means individual attention is possible, but a family should verify that the academic program is delivering for their child.
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