Democratic Vice President nominee Tim Walz recently made headlines for a comment about his high school days in rural Nebraska. Walz, known for being a coach, teacher, and one of the many gun owners in America, said that finding a date was “kind of a problem” because his graduating class had just 25 students and half of them were relatives.
While this may seem like a nostalgic anecdote or throwback, it underscores a reality for many in Nebraska where small high schools are still commonplace. There are still dozens of high schools in Nebraska with fewer than 50 students.
These small schools embody a deep-rooted part of American heritage. In the 1900s, when the majority of Americans still lived in rural areas, there often weren’t enough students to fill multiple classrooms so the one-room schoolhouse was common, particularly in the midwest. Students of various ages would gather together in the single room.There was just one lone teacher, so the older students would help the younger children with their lessons. When school was out, the same room was often used for community meetings, weddings, or funerals.
As people began to move away from rural areas into cities, larger schools with separate grades became the norm. Nevertheless, Nebraska, with its enduring rural character, held on to its tradition of small schools. Gothenburg reports that in 1986, nearly half of all of the one-room schools in America were located in Nebraska.
The landscape began to shift in 2005 when Nebraska passed legislation mandating school districts to offer every grade level. Many schools closed or consolidated as a result. However, the spirit of small-town education persists, with many rural schools still operating with minimal student populations. Some students even end up being the “lone frosh” in their class.
Many Nebraskans enjoy having small schools because of the sense of community they bring. Students know each other and their teachers well and, as Walz said, are often related to each other. Yet, there are also voices advocating for larger school districts. Some parents and students prefer bigger schools for the wider array of extracurricular activities and social opportunities they offer.
For those who cherish the intimate, community-focused experience that Tim Walz had, Nebraska still has many small schools. Here is a list of high schools in the state with fewer than 50 students:
- High School at Dunning – 22
- Mc Pherson County Secondary School – 23
- Wheeler Central High School – 24
- Hayes Center Secondary School – 26
- Sioux County High School – 26
- Chambers High School – 27
- Chamber High School – 27
- Litchfield High School – 28
- Loup County High School – 30
- Pine Ridge Job Corps – 30
- Thedford High School – 35
- Arthur County High School – 37
- Shickley High School – 38
- Elba Secondary School – 38
- Hyannis HS – 40
- Hyannis HS – 40
- Banner County High School – 41
- Scribner-Snyder Secondary School – 44
- Verdigre HS – 46
- Ansley High School – 46
- Ansley High School – 46
- Verdigre High School – 46
- Arnold High School – 47
- Arnold High School – 47
- Newman Grove High School – 47
- Lewiston High School – 49
- Allen High School – 49
