For the 2026-27 school year, there are 9 public preschools serving 2,343 students in Dakota County, NE.
The top-ranked public preschools in Dakota County, NE are Homer Elementary School, Emerson-hubbard Elementary School and Dakota City Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dakota County, NE public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the Nebraska public pre school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 50% statewide average). Pre schools in Dakota County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public preschool average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Dakota County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Homer Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
212 S 3rd
Homer, NE 68030
(402) 698-2377
Homer, NE 68030
(402) 698-2377
Gr: PK-6 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #22.
Emerson-hubbard Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
109 W Third St
Emerson, NE 68733
(402) 695-2654
Emerson, NE 68733
(402) 695-2654
Gr: PK-5 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
Dakota City Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1801 Locust St
Dakota City, NE 68731
(402) 987-3363
Dakota City, NE 68731
(402) 987-3363
Gr: PK-5 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #44.
Harney Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1001 Arbor Drive
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1446
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1446
Gr: PK-5 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #55.
Cardinal Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
820 E 29th Street
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1662
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1662
Gr: PK-5 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #66.
Lewis & Clark Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 2nd Ave
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1917
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1917
Gr: PK-5 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #77.
Covington Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2116 A Street
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-4238
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-4238
Gr: PK-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: n/an/a
2300 C St
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-3501
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-3501
Gr: PK | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: n/an/a
223 N John St
Jackson, NE 68743
(402) 632-4276
Jackson, NE 68743
(402) 632-4276
Gr: PK-2 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Dakota County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
100 Futures Dr
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-4185
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-4185
Gr: 6-12
Gateway To Learning (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
1000 West 29th St
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-0121
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-0121
223 N John St Po Box 67
Jackson, NE 68743
(402) 632-4276
Jackson, NE 68743
(402) 632-4276
Gr: PK-8 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Dakota County, NE?
The top-ranked public preschools in Dakota County, NE include Homer Elementary School, Emerson-hubbard Elementary School and Dakota City Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Dakota County?
9 public preschools are located in Dakota County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dakota County?
Dakota County public preschools minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public preschools average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Dakota County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Dakota County include: Harney Elementary School vs. Dakota City Elementary School, Cardinal Elementary School vs. Dakota City Elementary School, E N Swett Elementary School vs. Dakota City Elementary School
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