The top reported proficiency rate is 78% in Science. The lowest is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Pierce Elementary School
Pierce Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the rural community of Pierce, Nebraska, the county seat of Pierce County. The town sits northwest of Norfolk along a state highway and functions as a small agricultural hub with county government offices, a downtown courthouse square, and local businesses. The population has been relatively stable with a slight decline in recent years, and the housing market reflects a modest, low-density community where most destinations are within walking distance of the town center.
The school is a regular public elementary school within the Pierce Public Schools district. Enrollment is moderate for a PK-6 building, and the student body is predominantly white, with a small share of Hispanic students and a very small number of Black and multiracial students. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a standard measure of economic need. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not reported in the available records.
State assessment results for the 2024-25 school year show a mixed picture across subjects and grade levels. In English language arts, proficiency rates varied considerably by grade, from around half of third graders meeting the bar to nearly three-quarters of fourth graders reaching proficiency. Fifth and sixth graders landed in between, with a bit over half and nearly two-thirds proficient, respectively. Math results were notably low across every tested grade, with none of the students in grades three through six scoring at the proficient level. Science, which is tested only in fifth grade, showed a strong outcome with more than three-quarters of students meeting the proficiency standard. Compared to other districts in Pierce County, the school's combined proficiency index across tested subjects and grades sits in the bottom quartile, a position that reflects the very low math performance.
A multi-year trend available for the 2024-25 school year shows a single year of data, so no trajectory can be drawn from it. Parents interested in how math instruction has been addressed and what interventions are in place may want to discuss that directly with the school.
The surrounding community offers a handful of civic amenities, including a public library, a park with an arboretum, and a nearby state recreation area with lake access and camping. The Pierce Historical Society Museum occupies a former railway depot, and the city council meets monthly at the fire hall.
At the district level, two recent state-level property tax changes are relevant to families. Nebraska passed a law capping annual school district property tax growth, requiring a board vote to exceed that limit, and voters approved a ballot measure that directs the state legislature to fund a property tax credit and a child tax deduction for dependents. These affect how the district sets its levy and could change the overall tax burden for residents.
Because Pierce Elementary serves only through sixth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. For families considering the school, the core consideration is a building where reading and science performance are areas of relative strength, while math results are a significant concern that warrants further inquiry. The school operates in a small, stable rural town with a compact footprint and limited commercial development, which may appeal to families seeking a close-knit setting.
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