For the 2026-27 school year, there are 10 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, Ravenna Senior High School and Amherst 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 67% (versus the Nebraska public middle school average of 61%), 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 35% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Buffalo County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Horizon Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
915 W 35th St
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8120
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8120
Gr: 6-8 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #22.
Ravenna Senior High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
41750 Carthage Rd
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 452-3249
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 452-3249
Gr: 7-12 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
Amherst High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 N Sycamore
Amherst, NE 68812
(308) 826-3131
Amherst, NE 68812
(308) 826-3131
Gr: 7-12 | 157 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Shelton High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
210 9th St
Shelton, NE 68876
(308) 647-5459
Shelton, NE 68876
(308) 647-5459
Gr: 7-12 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #55.
Sunrise Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4611 Ave N
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8150
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8150
Gr: 6-8 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #66.
Elm Creek High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
230 East Calkins Avenue
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 856-4300
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 856-4300
Gr: 7-12 | 149 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #77.
Pleasanton High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
303 Church St
Pleasanton, NE 68866
(308) 388-2041
Pleasanton, NE 68866
(308) 388-2041
Gr: 7-12 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #88.
West Kearney High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2802 30th Ave
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 338-2011
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 338-2011
Gr: 8-12 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #99.
Gibbon High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1030 Court Street
Gibbon, NE 68840
(308) 468-5721
Gibbon, NE 68840
(308) 468-5721
Gr: 7-12 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: n/an/a
Hanny Arram Center
Alternative School
3907 6th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-6900
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-6900
Gr: 6-12 | 2 students
Buffalo County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
7700 E 78th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 237-5664
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 237-5664
Gr: PK-8 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
26520 Pawnee Rd
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 467-2339
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 467-2339
Gr: PK-8 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
74204 L Road
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 995-4771
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 995-4771
Gr: PK-6 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Kearney Student Services (Closed 2011)
Special Education School
910 East 34th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8233
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8233
Gr: PK
561 Webb St
Odessa, NE 68861
(308) 237-5415
Odessa, NE 68861
(308) 237-5415
Gr: PK-8 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
29050 145th Road
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-1618
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-1618
Gr: PK-6 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
123 1st Street Box 9
Riverdale, NE 68870
(308) 893-2481
Riverdale, NE 68870
(308) 893-2481
Gr: PK-8 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
123 1st St
Riverdale, NE 68870
(308) 893-2481
Riverdale, NE 68870
(308) 893-2481
Gr: PK-5 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
2430 Cherry Ave
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-9486
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-9486
Gr: PK-5 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
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, Ravenna Senior High School and Amherst 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 35% (majority Hispanic).
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