The top reported proficiency rate is 89% in Science. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Elementary at Bennet
Elementary at Bennet is the sole elementary building in the Palmyra District OR-1, serving the small, fast-growing bedroom suburb of Bennet, located a short commute from Lincoln. The school serves preschool through fifth grade, and because it does not serve middle or high school grades, it has no graduation rate to report. The school is a regular public school and is not a charter.
Academically, the picture is mixed and worth a close look. In the most recent state testing, the school’s fifth graders posted a very strong performance in science, with a large majority of students meeting the state’s proficiency bar. Fourth-grade English language arts results were also solid, with a clear majority of students proficient. Third-grade ELA and fifth-grade math both showed a majority of students reaching the proficient level as well, though the math result was more moderate. However, several grade-level results were reported at zero percent proficiency—meaning, in this dataset, that no students in those grade-subject combinations tested at the proficient level. This includes third- and fourth-grade math, as well as sixth-grade math and third-grade science (though science is tested only in fifth grade, so that zero may be an artifact of grade participation rules). A parent should ask the school directly about these zero-percent results to understand whether they reflect very small class sizes, a unique year, or a pattern needing support.
The multi-year trend data available only covers a single school year (the most recent), so there is no basis to see whether performance is improving or declining over time. That is a gap. When placed among other districts in Lancaster County, the school’s overall proficiency index lands in the bottom quartile of the comparison set. This is a soft spot, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school, particularly to understand how the zero-percent grade-level results affect that overall measure.
The student body is predominantly white, with a very small share of students identifying as Hispanic and even smaller shares of other racial or ethnic groups. About one in five students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that is on the lower side, suggesting a generally middle-income enrollment relative to many schools. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported, leaving a gap in understanding the school’s full range of student support needs.
Bennet itself is a small town that has grown significantly in recent decades after a long period of decline. It functions primarily as a bedroom community for Lincoln, with most working residents commuting there for employment. The town’s own planning materials highlight that proximity to jobs and services continues to attract young families and retirees. New housing has added tax base, and the town was recently upgraded from a village to a city of the second class, reflecting its growth. The community has a centrally located park with a historic gazebo and play areas, but lacks its own public library or transit system, with policing provided by the county sheriff.
The district itself showed no major parent-relevant changes in recent searches—no recent referendums, curriculum shifts, or property tax changes were found in the public record. This does not mean nothing is happening, just that nothing surfaced in the search.
For a family considering this school, the key takeaway is that Elementary at Bennet serves a growing, commuter-oriented community with a largely white and middle-income student population. Its academic results are uneven, with strong science and some solid ELA scores alongside a set of zero-percent results in several grade-subject combinations that warrant a direct conversation with the school. The overall district proficiency index sits low relative to others in Lancaster County, which is the relevant peer group. The school’s setting is small-town Nebraska, a short drive from Lincoln, and housing values have been on a modest upward trend. This is a school where the local context and the academic data both need a careful look before forming a judgment.
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