Kearney Elementary

Striving Together for Academic Responsibility and Success

Kearney Elementary is the kind of place where kids feel known, challenged, and celebrated every single day. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Mitch Masker, the school has become a flagship of student-centered learning in the Kearney School District. Classrooms hum with inquiry, teachers collaborate around data and families are true partners in the work. Whether you’re walking through our vibrant “house” assemblies, seeing a fifth-grader mentor a first-grader on phonics or watching a STEM challenge in action, you’ll feel the joyful, purposeful culture Dr. Masker and his team have built.

Mission:

S – I will be Safe

T – I will be Trustworthy

A – I will be an Active Learner

R – I will show Respect

Vision

In our Professional Learning Community of Kearney Elementary School, we believe that the most effective strategies for achieving our mission are:

• Working in collaborative teams to achieve our common goals
• Growing as educators by infusing our teaching with research-based strategies and techniques
• Maximizing the use of technology to encourage further exploration of learning
• Using a range of formal and informal assessments to drive individualized instruction
• Fostering a positive, nurturing learning environment in which children look forward to coming to school each day

At-a-Glance Highlights

Bulldog Points of Pride

• Transformational Leadership – Since taking the helm, Dr. Masker has steered Kearney Elementary to sustained high marks for continuous improvement (87.5% or better each year 2022-24) and a culture where staff feel empowered to innovate. 
• Literacy Lighthouse – Our ELA mastery earns the maximum state points; daily WIN (“What I Need”) blocks, a science-of-reading approach, and a robust library program ensure every student is a confident reader. 
• Data-Driven Math Success – Topic-based diagnostics and small-group instruction are pushing math proficiency toward the state’s “Target” band—up 9 percentage points over five years. 
• Whole-Child Focus – A Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) framework, daily SEL circles, and in-house counseling help students thrive socially and emotionally; attendance performance (75% of possible MSIP6 points) shows families trust our environment. 
• STEM & Inquiry – Weekly Makerspace, a “Genius Hour” capstone in Grade 5, and partnerships with Kearney High’s robotics team spark early innovation.
• Community Connections – Parents serve on our Bulldog Advisory, local businesses sponsor “Real-World Readers,” and students lead food drives and service projects that have garnered districtwide attention.
• Equity & Access – Dedicated interventionists ensure opportunity for every learner, regardless of background.
• Celebrations That Matter – House rallies, Bulldog of the Month, and student-produced news spots amplify student voice and pride.