At one tiny Nebraska high school, there’s only one freshman
TAYLOR, Neb. — Bailley Leibert walks into civics class and plops her sunflower-print backpack onto an empty table. The 15-year-old rummages for her notebook and colored pens.
Around her are enough chairs to seat 10 students.
But today, and every day, there are nine empty seats. It’s just the ninth-grader and social studies teacher Ken Wright — an unintentional private lesson for the only freshman in this school.
At Loup County High School, Bailley is the sole member of the class of 2027. The class was entirely empty for three years before she moved to the village of Taylor this school year.
Nestled in the Sandhills, Loup County Public School has just 89 kids — one of the smallest school districts in Nebraska. Twice, the tiny school, in danger of closing, has gone to the Nebraska Legislature to keep its doors open.
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Teachers and students say it feels like the school holds the community of Taylor and the 571-square-mile Loup County together. It’s the place to be during Friday night football games. It’s the town’s biggest employer. And, even in a shrinking county — and despite the freshman class of one — the school is growing.
