CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, a small primary school in MC COOK, Nebraska, part of MC COOK PUBLIC SCHOOLS, caters to 181 students, covering grades 4 through 5. That puts it 33% smaller than the typical public school in Nebraska, which averages around 272 students.

MC COOK PUBLIC SCHOOLS comprises 4 schools with combined enrollment of 1,345 students; CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is among them.

Looking at the student body, CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL lists that nearly all students (86%) are White; the rest reads as 11% Hispanic, 2% multiracial. That composition is broadly in line with Red Willow County as a whole.

On the income-and-resources front, Staff filings list 14 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 12.8:1 students per teacher. The state averages around 21.0:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. Around 37% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, often used as a Title I proxy.

On a demographically-adjusted basis, CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 63.4% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 65.9%.

In the area at large, census data for Red Willow County shows the typical household earns roughly $63,697 per year, 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate sits near 11%. Across Red Willow County's 9 public schools (combined enrollment of about 1,671 students), CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is one campus in the mix.

Nearest neighbor: MC COOK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, around 0.4 miles off. Within five miles, there are 3 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL at 2nd of 6; the average score across the group is 63.6%.

The campus sits in a small-town setting.

Five-year trend. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has declined 11%, going from 204 students in 2018 to 181 in 2025.

Inside the community feed, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. Members of the school community can share what they know.