For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public preschools serving 372 students in Cherry County, NE.
The top-ranked public preschools in Cherry County, NE are Valentine Elementary School, Cody-kilgore Elementary School and Simeon School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherry County, NE public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 70% (versus the Nebraska public pre school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 50% statewide average). Pre schools in Cherry County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Nebraska public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Nebraska public preschool average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Cherry County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Valentine Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
615 E 5th St
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3237
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3237
Gr: PK-4 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #22.
Cody-kilgore Elementary School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 Nth Burlington Street
Kilgore, NE 69216
(402) 966-2291
Kilgore, NE 69216
(402) 966-2291
Gr: PK-5 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #33.
Simeon School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
88709 Simeon Rd
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3367
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3367
Gr: PK-8 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Rank: #44.
Cutcomb Lake School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
30 Miles S Of Nenzel Nebraska,
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 823-4208
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 823-4208
Gr: PK-8 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Cherry County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Hc 37 Box 44
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2289
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2289
Gr: PK-8 | 4 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Hc 32 Box 29
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3499
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3499
Gr: PK-8 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Hc 32
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3499
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3499
Gr: PK-8 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Po Box 9
Crookston, NE 69212
(402) 425-3331
Crookston, NE 69212
(402) 425-3331
Gr: PK-8 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Hc 74 Box 6
Cody, NE 69211
(402) 823-4208
Cody, NE 69211
(402) 823-4208
Gr: PK-8 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Hc 72 Box 18 A
Crookston, NE 69212
(402) 425-3270
Crookston, NE 69212
(402) 425-3270
Gr: PK-8 | 3 students
Hc 74 Box 26
Nenzel, NE 69219
(402) 823-4386
Nenzel, NE 69219
(402) 823-4386
Gr: PK-8 | 4 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Hc 65 Box 14 A
Elsmere, NE 69135
(308) 834-3285
Elsmere, NE 69135
(308) 834-3285
Gr: PK-8 | 1 student Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
Po Box 212
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2205
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2205
Gr: PK-8 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
1 Mile E Of German Settle Rd,
Crookston, NE 69212
(402) 425-3270
Crookston, NE 69212
(402) 425-3270
Gr: PK-8 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Hc 37 Box 59
Valentine, NE 69201
(308) 748-2294
Valentine, NE 69201
(308) 748-2294
Gr: PK-8 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Hwy 83, Lat 42.336183, Long -1
Valentine, NE 69201
(308) 748-2294
Valentine, NE 69201
(308) 748-2294
Gr: PK-8 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
16b Spur, Lat 42.527458, Long
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1666
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1666
Gr: PK-8 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
15 Nebraska 12
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1458
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1458
Gr: PK-8 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Hc 75 Box 30 A
Merriman, NE 69218
(308) 282-0419
Merriman, NE 69218
(308) 282-0419
Gr: PK-8 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Hc 75
Merriman, NE 69218
(308) 282-0419
Merriman, NE 69218
(308) 282-0419
Gr: PK-8 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Hc 37 Box 22 A
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2606
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2606
Gr: PK-8 | 4 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Hc 32 Box 39
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1666
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1666
Gr: PK-8 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Hc 13 Box 38
Sparks, NE 69220
(402) 376-3419
Sparks, NE 69220
(402) 376-3419
Gr: PK-8 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Hc 58
Brownlee, NE 69126
(308) 748-2258
Brownlee, NE 69126
(308) 748-2258
Gr: PK-6 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
206 E Dexter
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 967-3395
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 967-3395
Gr: PK-8 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Cherry County, NE?
The top-ranked public preschools in Cherry County, NE include Valentine Elementary School, Cody-kilgore Elementary School and Simeon School.
How many public preschools are located in Cherry County?
4 public preschools are located in Cherry County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cherry County?
Cherry County public preschools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Nebraska public preschools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
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