For the 2025 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 5,137 students in Adams County, NE (there are 4 private schools, serving 713 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Adams County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Adams County, NE are Adams Central Elementary School, Kenesaw Secondary School and Kenesaw Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Adams County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Adams County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Adams County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Adams Central Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
975 S Adams Central Ave
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-0040
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-0040
Grades: PK-6
| 498 students
Rank: #22.
Kenesaw Secondary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
110 N 5th Ave
Kenesaw, NE 68956
(402) 752-3215
Kenesaw, NE 68956
(402) 752-3215
Grades: 7-12
| 131 students
Rank: #33.
Kenesaw Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
110 N 5th Ave
Kenesaw, NE 68956
(402) 752-3215
Kenesaw, NE 68956
(402) 752-3215
Grades: PK-6
| 145 students
Rank: #44.
Hawthorne Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2200 W 9th St
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7540
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7540
Grades: PK-5
| 324 students
Rank: #55.
Adams Central Jr-sr High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1090 S Adams Central Rd
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-3285
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-3285
Grades: 7-12
| 432 students
Rank: #66.
Raymond A Watson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1720 N Crane
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7593
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7593
Grades: PK-5
| 337 students
Rank: #77.
Hastings Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
201 N Marian Road
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7520
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7520
Grades: 6-8
| 773 students
Rank: #88.
Longfellow Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
828 N Hastings Ave
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7584
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7584
Grades: PK-5
| 294 students
Rank: #99.
Hastings Senior High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1100 W 14th St
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7550
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7550
Grades: 9-12
| 1,025 students
Rank: #1010.
Silver Lake High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
9405 S Lincoln Ave
Roseland, NE 68973
(402) 756-6611
Roseland, NE 68973
(402) 756-6611
Grades: 7-12
| 92 students
Rank: #1111.
Alcott Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
313 N Cedar
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7580
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7580
Grades: PK-5
| 270 students
Rank: #1212.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
720 S Franklin
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7589
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7589
Grades: PK-5
| 304 students
Rank: n/an/a
18+ Program
Special Education School
5807 Osborne Drive West
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-5611
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-5611
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
512 N Brass Ave
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2245
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2245
Grades: PK
| 99 students
Rank: n/an/a
5807 Osborne Drive West
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-5611
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-5611
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1515 West 8th Street
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7545
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7545
Grades: PK
| 413 students
Rank: n/an/a
4200 W 2nd St
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 460-3111
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 460-3111
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
4200 2nd Street
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 460-3011
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 460-3011
Grades: 8
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
4200 W 2nd St
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 460-3011
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 460-3011
Grades: 7-8
| n/a students
Adams County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
123 Marian Rd
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 462-4187
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 462-4187
Grades: PK
| n/a students
123 Marian Rd
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 462-4187
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 462-4187
Grades: PK
| 13 students
123 Marian Rd
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 462-4187
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 462-4187
Grades: PK
| 13 students
1270 S First St Box 91
Ayr, NE 68925
(402) 463-8844
Ayr, NE 68925
(402) 463-8844
Grades: PK-6
| 30 students
1970 E 12th St
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-6107
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-6107
Grades: PK-6
| 152 students
9625 S Holstein Box 98
Holstein, NE 68950
(402) 756-5151
Holstein, NE 68950
(402) 756-5151
Grades: PK-8
| 16 students
512 N Brass Ave
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2245
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2245
Grades: PK-6
| 171 students
Life Skills Program (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1117 E South St, Po Box 2047
Hastings, NE 68902
(402) 463-5611
Hastings, NE 68902
(402) 463-5611
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
731 N Baltimore
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7545
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7545
Grades: PK-5
| 346 students
9765 W Lochland Rd
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2438
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2438
Grades: PK-6
| 9 students
1300 East Lochland Rd
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-8326
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-8326
Grades: PK-6
| 31 students
2975 S Baltimore Ave
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-5090
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-5090
Grades: PK-6
| 150 students
4200 2nd St
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 460-3111
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 460-3111
Grades: 9-12
| 14 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Adams County, NE?
The top ranked public schools in Adams County, NE include Adams Central Elementary School, Kenesaw Secondary School and Kenesaw Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Adams County?
19 public schools are located in Adams County.
What percentage of students in Adams County go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Adams County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Adams County?
Adams County public schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Adams County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Adams County include: Raymond A Watson Elementary School vs. Hawthorne Elementary School, Hawthorne Elementary School vs. Longfellow Elementary School, Longfellow Elementary School vs. Hawthorne Elementary School
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