For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 2,693 students in Buffalo County, NE.
The top ranked public high schools in Buffalo County, NE are Shelton High School, Ravenna Senior High School and Kearney High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buffalo County, NE public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Nebraska public high school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 47% statewide average). High schools in Buffalo County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public high schools.
Buffalo County, NE public high school have a Graduation Rate of 88%, which is more than the Nebraska average of 84%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Kearney High School, with 93% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Nebraska or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public high school average of 36% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Buffalo County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Shelton High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
210 9th St
Shelton, NE 68876
(308) 647-5459
Shelton, NE 68876
(308) 647-5459
Grades: 7-12
| 110 students
Rank: #22.
Ravenna Senior High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
41750 Carthage Rd
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 452-3249
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 452-3249
Grades: 7-12
| 168 students
Rank: #33.
Kearney High School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2702 West 11th Street
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8060
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8060
Grades: 9-12
| 1,654 students
Rank: #44.
Amherst High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 N Sycamore
Amherst, NE 68812
(308) 826-3131
Amherst, NE 68812
(308) 826-3131
Grades: 7-12
| 167 students
Rank: #55.
West Kearney High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2802 30th Ave
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 338-2011
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 338-2011
Grades: 9-12
| 54 students
Rank: #66.
Elm Creek High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
230 East Calkins Avenue
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 856-4300
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 856-4300
Grades: 7-12
| 155 students
Rank: #77.
Pleasanton High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
303 Church St
Pleasanton, NE 68866
(308) 388-2041
Pleasanton, NE 68866
(308) 388-2041
Grades: 7-12
| 135 students
Rank: #88.
Gibbon High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1030 Court Street
Gibbon, NE 68840
(308) 468-5721
Gibbon, NE 68840
(308) 468-5721
Grades: 7-12
| 250 students
Rank: n/an/a
Hanny Arram Center
Alternative School
3907 6th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-6900
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-6900
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Buffalo County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1404 East 39th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-6977
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-6977
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
7700 E 78th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 237-5664
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 237-5664
Grades: PK-8
| 9 students
26520 Pawnee Rd
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 467-2339
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 467-2339
Grades: PK-8
| 2 students
74204 L Road
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 995-4771
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 995-4771
Grades: PK-6
| 19 students
2041 East 56th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 236-7145
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 236-7145
Grades: PK-8
| n/a students
Kearney Student Services (Closed 2011)
Special Education School
910 East 34th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8233
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8233
Grades: PK
| n/a students
561 Webb St
Odessa, NE 68861
(308) 237-5415
Odessa, NE 68861
(308) 237-5415
Grades: PK-8
| 29 students
29050 145th Road
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-1618
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-1618
Grades: PK-6
| 16 students
123 1st Street Box 9
Riverdale, NE 68870
(308) 893-2481
Riverdale, NE 68870
(308) 893-2481
Grades: PK-8
| 46 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Buffalo County, NE?
The top ranked public high schools in Buffalo County, NE include Shelton High School, Ravenna Senior High School and Kearney High School.
How many public high schools are located in Buffalo County?
9 public high schools are located in Buffalo County.
What is the racial composition of students in Buffalo County?
Buffalo County public high schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public high schools average of 36% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.