For the 2026-27 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 2,613 students in Colfax County, NE (there are 2 private schools, serving 84 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Colfax County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top-ranked public schools in Colfax County, NE are Leigh High School, Howells Senior High School and Leigh Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Colfax County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Colfax County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Colfax County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Leigh High School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
222 W 4th St
Leigh, NE 68643
(402) 487-2228
Leigh, NE 68643
(402) 487-2228
Gr: 7-12 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Howells Senior High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
417 Center Street
Howells, NE 68641
(402) 986-1621
Howells, NE 68641
(402) 986-1621
Gr: 7-12 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
Leigh Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
222 W 4th St
Leigh, NE 68643
(402) 487-3301
Leigh, NE 68643
(402) 487-3301
Gr: PK-6 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
Clarkson Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
649 Cherry St
Clarkson, NE 68629
(402) 892-3477
Clarkson, NE 68629
(402) 892-3477
Gr: PK-6 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Clarkson Jr-sr High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
649 Cherry St
Clarkson, NE 68629
(402) 892-3454
Clarkson, NE 68629
(402) 892-3454
Gr: 7-12 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
Schuyler Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2404 Denver
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-9940
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-9940
Gr: PK-5 | 715 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #77.
Schuyler Elementary-fisher's
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1098 Road J
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-3700
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-3700
Gr: PK-7 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #88.
Schuyler Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
200 W 10th St
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-5514
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-5514
Gr: 6-8 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #99.
Schuyler Central High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
401 Adam St
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-2421
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-2421
Gr: 9-12 | 643 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: n/an/a
417 Center Street
Howells, NE 68641
(402) 986-1621
Howells, NE 68641
(402) 986-1621
Gr: PK | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
100 East 15th
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-2628
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-2628
Gr: PK | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: n/an/a
1014 West 9th Street
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-5084
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-5084
Gr: PK | 75 students Minority enrollment: 97%
Colfax County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
454 Road N
Clarkson, NE 68629
(402) 487-2460
Clarkson, NE 68629
(402) 487-2460
Gr: PK-8 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
001098 Road J
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-37
Schuyler, NE 68661
(402) 352-37
Gr: PK-8 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Colfax County, NE?
The top-ranked public schools in Colfax County, NE include Leigh High School, Howells Senior High School and Leigh Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Colfax County?
13 public schools are located in Colfax County.
What percentage of students in Colfax County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Colfax County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Colfax County?
Colfax County public schools minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Colfax County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Colfax County include: Leigh Elementary School vs. Clarkson Elementary School, Clarkson Elementary School vs. Leigh Elementary School, Howells-dodge Elementary School/howells vs. Clarkson Elementary School
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