Top 5 Best Buffalo County Public Middle Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 2,159 students in Buffalo County, NE.
The top ranked public middle schools in Buffalo County, NE are Horizon Middle School, Shelton High School and Ravenna Senior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buffalo County, NE public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the Nebraska public middle school average of 44%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 44% statewide average). Middle schools in Buffalo County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Nebraska public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public middle school average of 34% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Buffalo County (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Horizon Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
915 W 35th St
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8120
Grades: 6-8
| 631 students
Rank: #22.
Shelton High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
210 9th St
Shelton, NE 68876
(308) 647-5459
Grades: 7-12
| 110 students
Rank: #33.
Ravenna Senior High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
41750 Carthage Rd
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 452-3249
Grades: 7-12
| 168 students
Rank: #44.
Amherst High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
100 N Sycamore
Amherst, NE 68812
(308) 826-3131
Grades: 7-12
| 167 students
Rank: #55.
Sunrise Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4611 Ave N
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8150
Grades: 6-8
| 543 students
Rank: #66.
Elm Creek High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
230 East Calkins Avenue
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 856-4300
Grades: 7-12
| 155 students
Rank: #77.
Pleasanton High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
303 Church St
Pleasanton, NE 68866
(308) 388-2041
Grades: 7-12
| 135 students
Rank: #88.
Gibbon High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1030 Court Street
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
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Buffalo County, NE

Buffalo County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
1404 East 39th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-6977
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
7700 E 78th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 237-5664
Grades: PK-8
| 9 students
26520 Pawnee Rd
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 467-2339
Grades: PK-8
| 2 students
74204 L Road
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 995-4771
Grades: PK-6
| 19 students
2041 East 56th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 236-7145
Grades: PK-8
| n/a students
910 East 34th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8233
Grades: PK
| n/a students
561 Webb St
Odessa, NE 68861
(308) 237-5415
Grades: PK-8
| 29 students
29050 145th Road
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-1618
Grades: PK-6
| 16 students
123 1st Street Box 9
Riverdale, NE 68870
(308) 893-2481
Grades: PK-8
| 46 students
123 1st St
Riverdale, NE 68870
(308) 893-2481
Grades: PK-5
| 46 students
2430 Cherry Ave
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-9486
Grades: PK-5
| 25 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public middle schools in Buffalo County, NE?
The top ranked public middle schools in Buffalo County, NE include Horizon Middle School, Shelton High School and Ravenna Senior High School.
How many public middle schools are located in Buffalo County?
9 public middle schools are located in Buffalo County.
What is the racial composition of students in Buffalo County?
Buffalo County public middle schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public middle schools average of 34% (majority Hispanic).

Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
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
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
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.

Quick Links