• Category 1

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 34
    Student Enrollment: 280
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 3%
    White/Caucasian: 53%
    Hispanic: 35%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 2%
    Asian: 2%
    Native American: 3%
    Other: 2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:14
    % Reduced Lunch: 78%
    % ELL Learners: 16%
    Founded: 1926
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Teresa Schnoor
  • CONTACT:
    Central Elementary
    Kearney, NE 68845
    308-698-8040
    terschnoor@kearneycats.com
Central Elementary School
Kearney, NE
"Together, we create an environment where every student can thrive."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Our success stems from high-quality staff, strong academic programs, effective interventions, enriching activities, and supportive families. Together, we create an environment where every student can thrive.

Our exceptional staff is experienced, dedicated, and focused on our students' well-being and growth. Effective behavior interventions, supported by a full-time counselor and social worker, address students' social and emotional needs. This support significantly improves student attendance by assisting students and their families, protecting the instructional setting while catering to the whole child.

The district’s adoption of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support has enhanced our ability to meet academic goals with improved Tier 1 curriculums for math and reading. Beyond academics, we offer a well-rounded educational experience with daily physical education, an on-site professional performing arts center, and multiple field trips.


2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
We consider every aspect when providing the support our students need to thrive in the classroom. We prioritize hiring experienced staff, and use a team of teachers throughout the interview process to ensure new teachers transition successfully into our building. The district has invested in the addition of full-time counselor and social worker support, and the adoption of Multi-Tiered System of Support with improved Tier 1 curriculums for math and reading.

We cultivate a highly collaborative staff with an 'all kids are our kids' mindset. They engage in creative problem-solving, using data to guide their efforts.

Our office support team, including the principal, secretary, social worker, and counselor, helps students with whatever they need to flourish in the classroom. This includes providing sensory breaks, supplying basic needs, assisting with schoolwork, and enforcing behavior expectations.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
Providing small group instruction with highly qualified teachers significantly enhances our support for students struggling with reading, math, and language. Funding from ESEA enables us to hire additional staff, thereby increasing our capacity to place more students in these beneficial settings.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Professional development in reading, language, and math, focused on best instructional practices, has greatly enhanced our ability to guide students to meet benchmarks successfully. Our most recent district-wide effort was professional development based on The Science of Reading, delivered before implementing new curriculum aligned with SOR principles. Before this, we engaged in best practices training to improve math instruction and support English language learners in the general classroom.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
everyone in the building is responsible for the success of individual students and respected for their contributions. Teachers, specialists, paras, office staff, custodial, lunchroom

we need to think outside the box to address unique needs of individual students. Students participate in classrooms outside of their grade level, individual schedules are created so that students experience purposeful, meaningful educational experiences throughout their day, EL and Title are highly collaborative as they determine how to support EL students.

High expectations for work, attitudes and behavior set in all settings
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
We are fortunate to have the University of Nebraska at Kearney in our community. The collaboration with faculty and students in the Elementary Education and International Studies departments enriches our educational practices and provides valuable insights and support.

Our grant-funded after-school program is extremely popular, offering a high-quality experience that includes tutoring, enrichment, and a wide variety of activities. This program further supports our students' learning and development, ensuring they receive additional opportunities to thrive.

A wide variety of community agencies donate resources to support the basic needs of our families, local therapists provide in-school counseling for student behavior and mental health. Local business are also quite generous with donations of school supplies.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 34
    Student Enrollment: 280
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 3%
    White/Caucasian: 53%
    Hispanic: 35%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 2%
    Asian: 2%
    Native American: 3%
    Other: 2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:14
    % Reduced Lunch: 78%
    % ELL Learners: 16%
    Founded: 1926
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Teresa Schnoor
  • CONTACT:
    Central Elementary
    Kearney, NE 68845
    308-698-8040
    terschnoor@kearneycats.com