DORCHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Set in DORCHESTER, Nebraska, DORCHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is a compact primary school, run under DORCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL. It hosts 141 students across grades pre-K through 6. Compared to the state average of about 272 students per school, that is 48% leaner than typical.

Across the 2 schools in DORCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL (230 students total), DORCHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

Demographically, DORCHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL records that the largest single group is White, at 66% of enrollment. Other groups include 33% Hispanic.

Looking at the economic backdrop, DORCHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL lists 12 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 11.9:1. That figure is tighter than the state norm's 21.0:1 average. About 37% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. That share is south of Saline County's rate of about 55%.

After controlling for student poverty, DORCHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 63.5%; this one delivers 64.2%.

In the area at large, ACS estimates for Saline County put the typical household earns roughly $79,910 per year, roughly 22% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 8%. Across Saline County's 13 public schools (combined enrollment of about 3,333 students), DORCHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is DORCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL, roughly 0.0 miles away. Within ten miles, there are 8 other public schools, a sparser pattern than typical urban areas. Among the 5 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), DORCHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ranks 2nd on composite proficiency, above the local average of 61.7%.

The school occupies a countryside site.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count grew 48%: 95 students in 2018 compared to 141 in 2025. The student-to-teacher ratio grew from 9.6:1 in 2018 to 11.9:1 today.

On the community side, recent activity here tends to focus on school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.