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Horizon Middle School

Summary:

Horizon Middle School is a public middle school in Kearney, Nebraska, serving 619 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Kearney Public Schools district, which is ranked 44 out of 182 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Horizon Middle School consistently outperforms the state and district averages in NSCAS (Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System) test scores for English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science across all grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, Horizon Middle School's 8th-grade students scored 70.67% proficient or better in ELA, compared to the Kearney Public Schools district average of 70.78% and the Nebraska state average of 62.77%. The school's performance for student subgroups, such as female, male, and white students, as well as Hispanic and special education students, is also noteworthy, ranking in the top 40 and top 35 among Nebraska middle schools, respectively. However, the school's performance for low socioeconomic status students is relatively lower, ranking in the 60s and 70s among Nebraska middle schools.

While Horizon Middle School has experienced a gradual increase in chronic absenteeism rates, from 13.6% in the 2021-2022 school year to 21.1% in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's spending per student has steadily increased from $10,681 in the 2019-2020 school year to $12,567 in the 2022-2023 school year, which is higher than the district average. This suggests a commitment to providing adequate resources and support for the school's educational programs and initiatives, though the increasing absenteeism rates present an area for improvement.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 915 W 35th St
       Kearney, NE  68845-8099

(308) 698-8120

District: Kearney Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
58th of 200 Nebraska Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,567 Help


Students who attend Horizon Middle School usually attend:

High:    Kearney High School

Feeder schools for Horizon Middle School:

Elementary:    Buffalo Hills Elementary
    Central Elementary School
    Kenwood Elementary School
    Park Elementary School
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  15.3 Help
Number of students:  631

Racial breakdown:

White:
80.0%
Hispanic:
14.3%
African American:
1.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  35.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Horizon Middle School ranks better than 71% of middle schools in Nebraska. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 69.38. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (80%), Hispanic (14.3%), African American (1.7%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 35.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Horizon Middle School is 15.3. (See more...)
Help
Compare Horizon Middle School employs 41.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Horizon Middle School is $12,567.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Horizon Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Horizon Middle School 58th of 200 Nebraska public middle schools. (See Horizon Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Kearney Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Kearney Public Schools 44th of 182 Nebraska school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Horizon Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Horizon Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 61.68 81st 226 64.2%
2007 58.22 108th 227 52.4%
2008 60.15 103rd 245 58.0%
2009 61.56 90th 243 63.0%
2010 63.81 76th 254 70.1%
2011 67.25 70th 246 71.5%
2012 53.70 124th 255 51.4%
2013 54.45 112th 248 54.8%
2014 52.08 121st 252 52.0%
2015 51.36 131st 256 48.8%
2016 54.91 117th 255 54.1%
2017 55.21 103rd 236 56.4%
2018 70.73 51st 225 77.3%
2019 55.42 110th 247 55.5%
2021 70.15 53rd 223 76.2%
2022 75.71 40th 249 83.9%
2023 70.49 62nd 238 73.9%
2024 69.38 58th 200 71.0%
See the entire list of Nebraska Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Horizon Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 55.43 18th 52 65.4%
2023 51.71 31st 70 55.7%
2024 64.35 9th 32 71.9%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Horizon Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.40 59th 120 50.8%
2019 26.53 97th 123 21.1%
2021 47.12 63rd 115 45.2%
2022 51.18 67th 118 43.2%
2023 51.61 77th 144 46.5%
2024 60.63 38th 92 58.7%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Horizon Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.63 46th 147 68.7%
2019 50.34 79th 156 49.4%
2021 63.36 46th 137 66.4%
2022 70.56 34th 150 77.3%
2023 67.06 49th 146 66.4%
2024 76.90 23rd 106 78.3%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Horizon Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 73.81 31st 141 78.0%
2019 57.84 64th 153 58.2%
2021 73.76 22nd 144 84.7%
2022 76.73 24th 160 85.0%
2023 72.48 38th 156 75.6%
2024 65.70 39th 106 63.2%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Horizon Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.40 37th 56 33.9%
2019 26.54 51st 62 17.7%
2021 47.98 32nd 59 45.8%
2022 63.17 18th 61 70.5%
2023 51.55 35th 67 47.8%
2024 55.30 23rd 56 58.9%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Horizon Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.22 35th 203 82.8%
2019 60.93 72nd 222 67.6%
2021 74.22 32nd 204 84.3%
2022 77.66 31st 234 86.8%
2023 75.57 39th 217 82.0%
2024 75.28 29th 141 79.4%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Nebraska Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Horizon Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Nebraska Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Horizon Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 841 2 4 16 0 n/a n/a 0 863
1989 582 2 5 15 2 n/a n/a 0 606
1990 582 1 6 18 4 n/a n/a 0 611
1991 576 3 7 20 4 n/a n/a 0 610
1992 604 6 3 25 9 n/a n/a 0 647
1993 636 4 3 30 10 n/a n/a 0 683
1994 655 8 7 31 8 n/a n/a 0 709
1995 656 7 8 33 3 n/a n/a 0 707
1996 656 7 8 33 3 n/a n/a 0 707
1997 474 3 7 34 2 n/a n/a 0 520
1998 463 2 2 22 2 n/a n/a 0 491
1999 433 4 1 13 1 n/a n/a 12 464
2000 414 5 4 31 3 n/a n/a 0 457
2001 437 5 7 33 1 n/a n/a 0 483
2002 451 7 8 43 3 n/a n/a 0 512
2003 451 7 8 43 3 n/a n/a 0 512
2004 442 7 8 41 5 n/a n/a 0 503
2005 435 7 4 57 5 n/a n/a 0 508
2006 424 10 8 70 5 n/a n/a 0 517
2007 444 12 4 57 9 n/a n/a 0 526
2008 442 16 7 59 9 n/a n/a 0 533
2009 429 15 9 63 4 n/a n/a 0 520
2010 424 13 7 63 5 n/a n/a 0 512
2011 444 16 8 73 6 2 0 0 549
2012 448 13 8 77 4 1 5 0 556
2013 453 8 8 68 4 0 8 0 549
2014 443 8 6 70 4 1 8 0 540
2015 448 4 9 72 8 1 6 0 548
2016 452 6 10 93 8 1 8 0 578
2017 469 11 12 87 7 0 2 0 588
2018 499 9 10 90 3 0 2 0 613
2019 493 11 5 96 3 0 4 0 612
2020 503 17 2 92 2 1 5 0 622
2021 505 19 2 88 1 3 7 0 625
2022 521 17 6 77 5 4 8 0 638
2023 501 11 7 85 3 5 7 0 619
2024 505 11 7 90 6 4 8 0 631

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Horizon Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 863 55.1 15.6 0
1989 606 40.6 14.9 13.9
1990 611 40.3 15.1 12.4
1991 610 41.2 14.8 11.3
1992 647 41.2 15.7 11.7
1993 683 43.6 15.7 14.6
1994 709 47.1 15.1 14.4
1995 707 46.3 15.3 18.4
1996 707 46.3 15.3 18.4
1997 520 36.6 14.2 21.5
1998 491 37.1 13.2 19.8
1999 464 38.5 12.1 29.9
2000 457 37.3 12.3 31.1
2001 483 38.7 12.5 35.4
2002 512 38.8 13.2 27.7
2003 512 38.8 13.2 27.7
2004 503 39.1 12.9 30
2005 508 38.6 13.2 30.9
2006 517 38.5 13.4 31.9
2007 526 38.5 13.7 34.8
2008 533 39.4 13.5 33.4
2009 520 40.1 13.0 37.1
2010 512 40.1 12.7 39.8
2011 549 40.1 13.6 35.2
2012 556 40.0 13.8 40.5
2013 549 40.0 13.7 40.6
2014 540 40.0 13.4 37.8
2015 548 40.0 13.7 37.4
2016 578 41.0 14.0 39.8
2017 588 41.4 14.1 36.2
2018 613 40.1 15.2 38.5
2019 612 40.1 15.2 40.4
2020 622 40.3 15.4 37.3
2021 625 40.8 15.2 35.4
2022 638 41.2 15.4 33.1
2023 619 41.1 15.0 34.9
2024 631 41.1 15.3 35.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Horizon Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 863 55.1 15.6 0
1989 606 40.6 14.9 13.9
1990 611 40.3 15.1 12.4
1991 610 41.2 14.8 11.3
1992 647 41.2 15.7 11.7
1993 683 43.6 15.7 14.6
1994 709 47.1 15.1 14.4
1995 707 46.3 15.3 18.4
1996 707 46.3 15.3 18.4
1997 520 36.6 14.2 21.5
1998 491 37.1 13.2 19.8
1999 464 38.5 12.1 29.9
2000 457 37.3 12.3 31.1
2001 483 38.7 12.5 35.4
2002 512 38.8 13.2 27.7
2003 512 38.8 13.2 27.7
2004 503 39.1 12.9 30
2005 508 38.6 13.2 30.9
2006 517 38.5 13.4 31.9
2007 526 38.5 13.7 34.8
2008 533 39.4 13.5 33.4
2009 520 40.1 13.0 37.1
2010 512 40.1 12.7 39.8
2011 549 40.1 13.6 35.2
2012 556 40.0 13.8 40.5
2013 549 40.0 13.7 40.6
2014 540 40.0 13.4 37.8
2015 548 40.0 13.7 37.4
2016 578 41.0 14.0 39.8
2017 588 41.4 14.1 36.2
2018 613 40.1 15.2 38.5
2019 612 40.1 15.2 40.4
2020 622 40.3 15.4 37.3
2021 625 40.8 15.2 35.4
2022 638 41.2 15.4 33.1
2023 619 41.1 15.0 34.9
2024 631 41.1 15.3 35.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Horizon Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $231 (2.1%) $9,365 (85.8%) $10,917
2020 $294 (2.8%) $9,081 (85.0%) $10,681
2021 $565 (5.0%) $9,504 (83.6%) $11,372
2022 $747 (6.1%) $10,027 (81.8%) $12,261
2023 $387 (3.1%) $10,566 (84.1%) $12,567

Data source: Nebraska Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Horizon Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 110th of 247 Middle schoolsRanks 62nd of 238 Middle schools
 18.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Horizon Middle School)5567
 12%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Kearney Public Schools)5865
 7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)4955
 6%
6th Grade Mathematics (Horizon Middle School)6277
 15%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Kearney Public Schools)6065
 5%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)5557
 2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Horizon Middle School)5365
 12%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Kearney Public Schools)5562
 7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)4954
 5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Horizon Middle School)5077
 27%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Kearney Public Schools)5071
 21%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)4866
 18%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Horizon Middle School)4870
 22%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Kearney Public Schools)5769
 12%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)5062
 12%
8th Grade Mathematics (Horizon Middle School)5268
 16%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Kearney Public Schools)5370
 17%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)4761
 14%
8th Grade Science (Horizon Middle School)6678
 12%
   8th Grade Science (Kearney Public Schools)7277
 5%
   8th Grade Science (Nebraska)6264
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students612619
 1.1%
African American1111
American Indian33
Asian57
 40%
Hispanic9685
 11.5%
Pacific Islander05
White493501
 1.6%
Two or More Races47
 75%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients40.4%34.9%
 5.5%

Schools Near Horizon Middle School








Frequently Asked Questions about Horizon Middle School

Students who attend Horizon Middle School usually go on to attend Kearney High School

Horizon Middle School ranks 58th of 200 Nebraska middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students at Horizon Middle School are 80% White, 14% Hispanic, 2% African American, 1% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

In the 2023-24 school year, 631 students attended Horizon Middle School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Nebraska Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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