FBLA Wins Awards at State Contest

The Chadron High Future Business Leaders of America attended the annual State Leadership Conference in Kearney, NE on April 16-18, 2026.  To start the conference, students were motivated as they listened to the keynote speaker, Timmy the Dreamer and attended a variety of workshops.  But most importantly, Chadron students competed amongst all class levels in many different business competitions.  This conference was attended by over 2,300 students and advisors this year. Chadron FBLA traveled with 11 members to the state competition this year, several bringing home honors. 

Award Winners

Career Portfolio Jaelyn Brown 3rd Place  out of 32 students    (National Qualifier) Intro to Marketing Concepts Matthew Sorenson - 4th Place  out of 229 students   (National Qualifier)	Agribusiness Jason Hy - Honorable Mention  Top 4% out of 224 Students Job Interview  Jaelyn Brown - Honorable Mention  Top 4% out of 204 Students
Intro to Business Concepts Matthew Sorenson - 6th Place	Sweepstakes Award Entire Chapter Award
Nebraska FBLA Advisor of the Year Renae Noble
	From Left to Right:  Dakota Hutchings, Wesley Margetts, Jaelyn Brown, Graycen O’Donnell, Sadie Chesley, Sam Kahl, Tye Plooster, Matthew Sorenson, Braylon Branson, Jason Hy, and Dallas Hutchings.

CHS Schedule Season Video

Click on the following link to view Mrs. Watson's scheduling video:

Link to Cardinal Courses - CHS Scheduling

CHS Will Not Host a Summer Driver Education Course

(From the Nebraska Safety Center, Driver Education Program)

The  Nebraska Safety Center is not able to offer an in-person driver education class at Chadron High School this summer due to a shortage of instructors. The instructor that taught the Chadron driver education class the past several years is not teaching driver education anymore. We have not found a replacement yet.

The alternative for CHS students is to take the online class and drive following completion of the coursework. The Safety Center does have an instructor who drives with students in the Panhandle (but he does not teach class).  

We are in the process of training more instructors, but they will not be ready to teach this summer. We will do our best to put you on the schedule for 2027.

Thank you for your understanding.

         DeAnn Keith

Nebraska Safety Center

University of Nebraska Kearney

Driver Education Program | 308-865-8562

 

FBLA Finishes 3rd at Best of the West Contest

 Best of the West Business Competition

Chadron FBLA participated in the ninth annual Best of the West Business competition on January 28, 2026 at Chadron State College. Students participated in several business tests and job interview. Chadron had 18 students attend the competition. 

• Mason Frye - 5th in Accounting

• Matthew Sorenson -2nd in Intro to Business

• Jason Hy 3rd in Intro to Business

• Sam Kahl - 5th in Intro to Business

• Jason Hy - 1st Place in Agribusiness

• Sam Kahl - 5th in Agribusiness

• Matthew Sorenson -  1st in Intro to Financial Math

• Ty Plooster - 3rd in Intro to Financial Math

Chadron placed 3rd in the team standings behind Sidney and Alliance.  There were 9 schools with over 170 students in attendance.

Chronic Absenteesism

Chadron High School has had a lot of recognition in the past 10 years or more on all of the academic successes including the 'Excellent' rating each of the past two years by the Nebraska Department of Education. However, we have issues that need attention.  The good news is it doesn't involve test scores, curriculum or student behaviors ...it's student attendance.

Chronic Absenteeism = Any student missing 10% or more of instructional days regardless of whether absences are excused or unexcused.  Missing instruction for other than a school sponsored activity is ...missing school.  Missing instructional days significantly impacts academic achievement, hindering reading skills, increasing drop out risk, and limiting social engagement.

A recent report on the attendance for Chadron High School shows:

Key Findings

• While overall attendance at Chadron High School remains strong, a significant subgroup of students is experiencing chronic absenteeism.
• Over 15% of students meet the definition of chronically absent.
• This equates to roughly 1 in every 6 students.

Interpretation

• The school's average absence rate (4.8%) indicates that most students attend regularly.
• However, chronic absenteeism is highly concentrated, with a relatively small number of students accounting for a disproportionate share of total absences.
• Several chronically absent students are missing 15-30% of instructional time, placing them at elevated academic and engagement risk.

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Bottom Line

Chadron High School demonstrates solid overall attendance, but chronic absenteeism remains a meaningful challenge for some students. 

In lieu of this data, current and planned strategies include proactive communication with families, early identification of attendance concerns, administrative and counseling follow-up, academic support for students impacted by absences, and collaboration with families to address barriers to consistent attendance. Letters have been mailed to families to notify of chronic absenteeism and we hope to work to improve attendance for all students.

Please help us become an even better school for our community by encouraging daily attendance for students!

Final Reminder to Enroll for Dual Credit Classes Through CSC

This is a final reminder regarding dual credit enrollment for students enrolled in AP Calculus, AP Statistics, or Intro to Teaching for Spring 2026.

If your student plans to receive college credit through Chadron State College, the dual credit enrollment form must be completed and tuition paid in full by next Friday.

Dual Credit Enrollment Form:
https://www.csc.edu/admissions/dualcredit/dual-credit-student-enrollment-request-form/

Courses & Costs

• Intro to Teaching -  EDUC 131 – 3 credits – $180

• AP Statistics -MATH 232– 3 credits – $180

• AP Calculus -MATH 151– 5 credits – $300
  (Cost is $60 per credit hour)

How Enrollment Works

• Student must fill out enrollment form here:  https://www.csc.edu/admissions/dualcredit/dual-credit-student-enrollment-request-form/

• Families will receive an email from CSC with login instructions for MyCSC, where payment is made.

• Chadron High School does not accept dual credit payments.

Financial Assistance
Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch receive full tuition assistance through ACE Scholarships.Students please see Mrs. Watson for assistance with the application.

AP Exam Option
Instead of dual credit, students may choose to take the AP exam in May:

• $98 per exam (cash or check to Chadron High School)

• College credit depends on exam score and future college policies.

Need Help?

• Chadron State START Office: 308-432-6061

• Dual Credit Info: www.csc.edu/admissions/dualcredit/important-information/

Please reach out as soon as possible if you have questions or need assistance before the deadline.

Thank you,

Chadron High School Counseling Office
Mrs. Loni Watson, Counselor