Bayard Public Schools

The Bayard Public Schools district in Nebraska consists of two schools - Bayard Elementary School and Bayard Secondary School. The district serves a predominantly white student population, with a sizable Hispanic minority, and faces academic challenges with both schools performing below state averages on standardized tests.

While Bayard Secondary School appears to be the stronger performing school, with higher statewide rankings, better test scores, and a higher percentage of students proficient in core subjects, Bayard Elementary School has struggled academically, ranking in the bottom 20% of Nebraska elementary schools and lagging significantly behind state averages in English Language Arts and Math proficiency. This academic gap between the two schools suggests potential issues with the curriculum, instruction, or resources at the elementary level that need to be addressed.

The district's high free/reduced lunch rates, over 50% at both schools, indicate a need to examine how the district is supporting students from low-income families and ensuring equitable access to educational resources. Additionally, the higher spending per student at the secondary school compared to the elementary school is an interesting data point that warrants further investigation to ensure the additional funding is being used effectively to drive better outcomes for all students in the Bayard Public Schools district.