For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public preschools serving 4,563 students in Buffalo County, NE.
The top ranked public preschools in Buffalo County, NE are Meadowlark Elementary School, Windy Hills Elementary School and Glenwood Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buffalo County, NE public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 73% (versus the Nebraska public pre school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 50% statewide average). Pre schools in Buffalo County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Nebraska public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public preschool average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Buffalo County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Meadowlark Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1010 E 53rd St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8210
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8210
Gr: PK-5 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Windy Hills Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4211 20th Ave
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8220
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8220
Gr: PK-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Glenwood Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8105 9th Ave
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8240
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8240
Gr: PK-5 | 126 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3000 7th Ave
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8280
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8280
Gr: PK-5 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #55.
Amherst Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
100 N Sycamore
Amherst, NE 68812
(308) 826-3131
Amherst, NE 68812
(308) 826-3131
Gr: PK-6 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #66.
Buffalo Hills Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6110 11th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8290
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8290
Gr: PK-5 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Kenwood Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
915 16th Ave
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8200
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8200
Gr: PK-5 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Ravenna Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
41750 Carthage Rd
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 452-3202
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 452-3202
Gr: PK-6 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #99.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 W 24th St
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8040
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8040
Gr: PK-5 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1010.
Elm Creek Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
230 East Calkins Avenue
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 856-4300
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 856-4300
Gr: PK-6 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Bryant Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1611 Ave C
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8190
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8190
Gr: PK-5 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
910 E 34th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8230
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8230
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1313.
Pleasanton Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
303 Church St
Pleasanton, NE 68866
(308) 388-2041
Pleasanton, NE 68866
(308) 388-2041
Gr: PK-6 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1414.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2705 Ave E
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8270
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8270
Gr: PK-5 | 211 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1515.
Gibbon Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1030 Court Street
Gibbon, NE 68840
(308) 468-6546
Gibbon, NE 68840
(308) 468-6546
Gr: PK-6 | 320 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1616.
Shelton Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
210 9th St
Shelton, NE 68876
(308) 647-6558
Shelton, NE 68876
(308) 647-6558
Gr: PK-6 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: n/an/a
1511 5th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8033
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8033
Gr: PK | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
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 preschools in Buffalo County, NE?
The top ranked public preschools in Buffalo County, NE include Meadowlark Elementary School, Windy Hills Elementary School and Glenwood Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Buffalo County?
17 public preschools are located in Buffalo County.
What is the racial composition of students in Buffalo County?
Buffalo County public preschools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public preschools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Buffalo County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Buffalo County include: Windy Hills Elementary School vs. Park Elementary School, Park Elementary School vs. Windy Hills Elementary School, Park Elementary School vs. Central Elementary School
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