Nebraska is the #33 largest school system in the United States, serving 330,322 students across the 1,095 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 237 private schools, serving 41,453 students). 89% of all K-12 students in Nebraska attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Nebraska is 58%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 47%.
The top-ranked public schools in Nebraska are Blue Sage Elementary School, Hitchcock Elementary School, and Spring Ridge Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 39%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Nebraska (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Blue Sage Elementary School
(Math: 95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
3600 S 215th Street
Elkhorn, NE 68022
(402) 289-3577
Elkhorn, NE 68022
(402) 289-3577
Rank: #22.
Hitchcock Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
5809 S 104th St
Omaha, NE 68127
(402) 715-2255
Omaha, NE 68127
(402) 715-2255
Rank: #33.
Spring Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
17830 Shadow Ridge Dr
Omaha, NE 68130
(402) 637-0204
Omaha, NE 68130
(402) 637-0204
Rank: #44.
Upchurch Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 83% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
8686 S 165th St
Omaha, NE 68136
(402) 715-7150
Omaha, NE 68136
(402) 715-7150
Rank: #55.
Meadowlark Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1010 E 53rd St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8210
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8210
Rank: #66.
Aldrich Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 86% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
506 N 162 Ave
Omaha, NE 68118
(402) 715-2020
Omaha, NE 68118
(402) 715-2020
Rank: #77.
West Dodge Station Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 77% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
18480 California St
Elkhorn, NE 68022
(402) 289-2773
Elkhorn, NE 68022
(402) 289-2773
Rank: #88.
Fire Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 5%)
Reading: 85% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
19660 Farnam St
Elkhorn, NE 68022
(402) 289-0735
Elkhorn, NE 68022
(402) 289-0735
Rank: #99.
Skyline Elementary School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90% (Top 5%)
Reading: 78% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
400 S 210th St
Elkhorn, NE 68022
(402) 289-3433
Elkhorn, NE 68022
(402) 289-3433
Rank: #1010.
Reeder Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 89% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
19202 Chandler St
Gretna, NE 68028
(402) 715-6420
Gretna, NE 68028
(402) 715-6420
Overview
This State (NE)
US
# Schools
1,095 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
330,322 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
24,220 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (NE)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
56%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
43%
Graduation Rate
87.3%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
35%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.58
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
4,232 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
10,419 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
3%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
76,980 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
23%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
21,724 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
7%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
200,468 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
61%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
541 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
15,958 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (NE)
Statewide Total Revenue
$5,719 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$5,860 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$17,314
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$17,740
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Nebraska Public Schools by County (2026-27)
Popular neighborhoods: North Omaha (33 schools), West Omaha (25 schools), South Central Omaha (18 schools), Millard (13 schools), Gifford Park (12 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Nebraska?
The top-ranked public schools in Nebraska include Blue Sage Elementary School, Hitchcock Elementary School, and Spring Ridge Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Nebraska?
1,095 public schools are located in Nebraska.
What percentage of students in Nebraska go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Nebraska attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Nebraska?
Minority enrollment in Nebraska is 39%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Nebraska are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Nebraska include: Gering Middle School vs. Bluffs Middle School, Harvard High School vs. Sutton Secondary School, Palmer Junior-senior High School vs. Central City High School
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