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Sterling High School

Summary:

Sterling High School is a public high school located in Sterling, Nebraska, serving grades 7-12 with a total enrollment of 89 students. The school has a predominantly white student population, with 91.01% of students identifying as white in the 2022-2023 school year. Sterling High School is part of the Norris School District 160, which is ranked 82 out of 212 districts in Nebraska and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Sterling High School has consistently performed well academically, ranking 26th out of 215 Nebraska high schools in the 2022-2023 school year and earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's 11th-grade students outperformed the state averages in ACT/English Language Arts, ACT/Mathematics, and ACT/Science. However, the school's racial diversity is significantly lower compared to nearby schools, with only 8.99% Hispanic students and no other racial/ethnic groups represented. Additionally, Sterling High School has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 9.4 students per teacher and a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (34.83%) compared to nearby schools.

While Sterling High School's overall performance is strong, the school's ranking has fluctuated significantly over the years, ranging from 26th in 2022-2023 to 190th in 2020-2021. This suggests that the school's performance may be influenced by factors that can change from year to year. Additionally, the ranking for white students has declined from 47th in 2022-2023 to 191st in 2020-2021, indicating that the school may need to focus on addressing the needs of this subgroup to maintain its high academic standards. Nonetheless, the school's high academic performance, low student-teacher ratio, and higher spending per student ($20,395 in 2022-2023) suggest that it is a strong educational option for families in the area.


Detail:

Public 7-12

 250 Main St
       Sterling, NE  68443-0039

(402) 866-4761

District: Sterling Public Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $20,395 Help


Feeder schools for Sterling High School:

Elementary:    Sterling Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  8.4 Help
Number of students:  81

Racial breakdown:

White:
86.4%
Hispanic:
13.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  33.3% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Sterling High School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2019 the calculated Average Standard Score was 75. (See more...)
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Compare Details Sterling High School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 85.21. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Sterling High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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 (86.4%), Hispanic (13.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 33.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sterling High School is 8.4. (See more...)
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Compare Sterling High School employs 9.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sterling High School is $20,395.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Sterling High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.



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Rank History for Sterling High School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Sterling High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 39.04 174th 226 23.0%
2007 16.64 209th 227 7.9%
2015 69.04 55th 256 78.5%
2016 77.06 36th 255 85.9%
2017 75.05 47th 236 80.1%
2018 61.47 88th 225 60.9%
2019 75.00 46th 247 81.4%
See the entire list of Nebraska High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school White students at Sterling High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.37 95th 203 53.2%
2019 60.43 74th 222 66.7%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Sterling High School

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Rank History for all high school students at Sterling High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 79.46 17th 249 93.2%
2007 71.12 47th 247 81.0%
2008 53.51 143rd 252 43.3%
2009 64.33 85th 251 66.1%
2010 23.31 224th 249 10.0%
2011 71.71 59th 252 76.6%
2012 74.11 39th 245 84.1%
2013 47.89 135th 247 45.3%
2014 79.40 32nd 247 87.0%
2015 72.21 48th 242 80.2%
2016 85.91 20th 246 91.9%
2018 53.78 102nd 219 53.4%
2021 13.48 190th 209 9.1%
2022 33.98 136th 202 32.7%
2023 85.21 26th 215 87.9%
See the entire list of Nebraska High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Female students at Sterling High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 82.11 21st 136 84.6%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Sterling High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.21 114th 205 44.4%
2021 8.64 191st 200 4.5%
2022 26.10 153rd 196 21.9%
2023 71.33 47th 206 77.2%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High 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.

Sterling High School Test Scores
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Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Nebraska Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Sterling High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 90 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 90
1989 104 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 104
1990 98 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 98
1991 104 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 104
1992 104 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 104
1993 133 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 133
1994 140 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 140
1995 138 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 139
1996 138 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 139
1997 132 0 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 135
1998 126 0 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 128
1999 129 0 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 132
2000 113 1 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 115
2001 107 1 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 109
2002 102 2 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 106
2003 102 2 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 106
2004 99 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 102
2005 100 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 101
2006 104 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 107
2007 101 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 102
2008 107 3 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 111
2009 63 1 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 65
2010 69 1 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 71
2011 70 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 73
2012 68 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 72
2013 64 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 68
2014 72 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 75
2015 97 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 100
2016 96 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
2017 90 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 93
2018 84 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 87
2019 95 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 100
2020 88 1 0 6 0 0 0 0 95
2021 83 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 89
2022 84 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 90
2023 81 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 89
2024 70 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 81

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 Sterling High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 90 10.3 8.7 26.7
1989 104 10.3 10.0 22.1
1990 98 10.2 9.6 22.4
1991 104 10.1 10.2 16.3
1992 104 10.1 10.2 14.4
1993 133 11.1 12.0 19.5
1994 140 11.3 12.4 20.7
1995 139 11.8 11.8 20.1
1996 139 11.8 11.8 20.1
1997 135 11.4 11.8 14.8
1998 128 11.4 11.2 10.9
1999 132 11.6 11.4 13.6
2000 115 11.3 10.2 10.4
2001 109 10.5 10.4 11.9
2002 106 11.0 9.6 23.6
2003 106 11.0 9.6 23.6
2004 102 11.0 9.3 27.5
2005 101 10.4 9.7 35.6
2006 107 10.4 10.3 22.4
2007 102 10.4 9.8 24.5
2008 111 10.8 10.3 20.7
2009 65 7.9 8.2 21.5
2010 71 7.9 8.9 32.4
2011 73 7.3 9.8 21.9
2012 72 7.4 9.6 20.8
2013 68 7.4 9.1 25
2014 75 8.2 9.1 17.3
2015 100 10.0 10.0 22
2016 100 11.0 9.0 18
2017 93 10.9 8.5 16.1
2018 87 10.8 8.0 25.3
2019 100 8.9 11.1 26
2020 95 11.0 8.6 25.3
2021 89 11.5 7.6 32.6
2022 90 11.1 8.0 34.4
2023 89 9.3 9.4 34.8
2024 81 9.6 8.4 33.3

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 Sterling High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 90 10.3 8.7 26.7
1989 104 10.3 10.0 22.1
1990 98 10.2 9.6 22.4
1991 104 10.1 10.2 16.3
1992 104 10.1 10.2 14.4
1993 133 11.1 12.0 19.5
1994 140 11.3 12.4 20.7
1995 139 11.8 11.8 20.1
1996 139 11.8 11.8 20.1
1997 135 11.4 11.8 14.8
1998 128 11.4 11.2 10.9
1999 132 11.6 11.4 13.6
2000 115 11.3 10.2 10.4
2001 109 10.5 10.4 11.9
2002 106 11.0 9.6 23.6
2003 106 11.0 9.6 23.6
2004 102 11.0 9.3 27.5
2005 101 10.4 9.7 35.6
2006 107 10.4 10.3 22.4
2007 102 10.4 9.8 24.5
2008 111 10.8 10.3 20.7
2009 65 7.9 8.2 21.5
2010 71 7.9 8.9 32.4
2011 73 7.3 9.8 21.9
2012 72 7.4 9.6 20.8
2013 68 7.4 9.1 25
2014 75 8.2 9.1 17.3
2015 100 10.0 10.0 22
2016 100 11.0 9.0 18
2017 93 10.9 8.5 16.1
2018 87 10.8 8.0 25.3
2019 100 8.9 11.1 26
2020 95 11.0 8.6 25.3
2021 89 11.5 7.6 32.6
2022 90 11.1 8.0 34.4
2023 89 9.3 9.4 34.8
2024 81 9.6 8.4 33.3

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 Sterling High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $377 (2.1%) $16,246 (88.9%) $18,273
2020 $322 (1.7%) $17,410 (90.8%) $19,174
2021 $469 (2.3%) $18,342 (90.1%) $20,348
2022 $414 (2.1%) $18,167 (90.4%) $20,095
2023 $322 (1.6%) $18,527 (90.8%) $20,395

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Sterling High 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.

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (Sterling High School)6062
 2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Sterling Public Schools)6062
 2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)4954
 5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Sterling High School)6556
 9%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Sterling Public Schools)6556
 9%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)4866
 18%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students10089
 11%
African American10
 100%
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic48
 100%
Pacific Islander00
White9581
 14.7%
Two or More Races00
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients26%34.8%
 8.8%

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Frequently Asked Questions about Sterling High School

Students at Sterling High School are 86% White, 14% Hispanic.

In the 2023-24 school year, 81 students attended Sterling High School.

Sterling High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Sterling Elementary 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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