For the 2025 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 5,513 students in Dawson County, NE (there are 1 private school, serving 9 private students). 100% of all K-12 students in Dawson County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Dawson County, NE are Bryan Elementary School, Gothenburg Secondary School and Overton Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dawson County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Dawson County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Dawson County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Bryan Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1003 N Harrison
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3762
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3762
Grades: PK-5
| 386 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Gothenburg Secondary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1322 Avenue I
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3651
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3651
Grades: 7-12
| 371 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Overton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
401 7th St
Overton, NE 68863
(308) 987-2424
Overton, NE 68863
(308) 987-2424
Grades: PK-6
| 165 students
Rank: #44.
Elementary School At Sumner
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
205 E 5th Ave
Sumner, NE 68878
(308) 752-2925
Sumner, NE 68878
(308) 752-2925
Grades: PK-6
| 108 students
Rank: #55.
Cozad Middle School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1810 Meridian Ave
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2746
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2746
Grades: 6-8
| 201 students
Rank: #66.
Overton High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
401 7th St
Overton, NE 68863
(308) 987-2424
Overton, NE 68863
(308) 987-2424
Grades: 7-12
| 115 students
Rank: #77.
Dudley Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1311 Avenue G
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3651
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3651
Grades: PK-6
| 426 students
Rank: #88.
Cozad Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
420 East 14th Street
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-3462
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-3462
Grades: PK-5
| 445 students
Rank: #99.
Cozad High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1710 Meridian Ave
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2744
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2744
Grades: 9-12
| 245 students
Rank: #1010.
Sandoz Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1711 N Erie
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-5540
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-5540
Grades: 2-3
| 321 students
Rank: #1111.
Lexington Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1100 N Washington
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2349
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2349
Grades: 6-8
| 678 students
Rank: #1212.
Junior-senior High At Sumner
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
205 E 5th Ave
Sumner, NE 68878
(308) 752-2925
Sumner, NE 68878
(308) 752-2925
Grades: 7-12
| 100 students
Rank: #1313.
Morton Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74% )
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
505 S Lincoln
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3764
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3764
Grades: PK-1
| 363 students
Rank: #1414.
Lexington High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1400 Minuteman Drive
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-4691
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-4691
Grades: 9-12
| 919 students
Rank: #1515.
Pershing Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1104 N Tyler
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3765
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3765
Grades: 4-5
| 305 students
Rank: n/an/a
420 West 14th Street
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-3381
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-3381
Grades: PK
| 76 students
Rank: n/an/a
Early Intervention/homebound
Special Education School
1501 Plum Creek Parkway
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-1841
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-1841
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1503 Plum Creek Parkway
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-1841
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-1841
Grades: PK
| 257 students
Rank: n/an/a
1311 Avenue G
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3651
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3651
Grades: PK
| 32 students
Dawson County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
77050 Hwy 47
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3155
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3155
Grades: PK-8
| 7 students
808 Ave D
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2154
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2154
Grades: K-6
| 143 students
Cozad Alternative Ed Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1910 Meridian Ave
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2745
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2745
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
76398 Road 421
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-3573
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-3573
Grades: PK-8
| 22 students
75885 Road 428
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 324-2829
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 324-2829
Grades: PK-8
| 12 students
75598 Rd 439 Po Box 755
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2745
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2745
Grades: PK-8
| 26 students
75905 Road 431
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3615
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3615
Grades: PK-8
| 26 students
700 N Washington Rm 201
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 784-3573
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 784-3573
Grades: K-8
| 5 students
75795 Hwy 21
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2741
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2741
Grades: PK-8
| 32 students
77131 Road 431
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3604
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3604
Grades: PK-8
| 6 students
76955 Road 417
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3161
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3161
Grades: PK-8
| 10 students
123 Caribou St Box 128
Farnam, NE 69029
(308) 569-2331
Farnam, NE 69029
(308) 569-2331
Grades: 6-8
| 75 students
75710 Road 436
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3626
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3626
Grades: PK-8
| 19 students
Lexington Child Develop Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1609 N Erie
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-8811
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-8811
Grades: PK
| 9 students
Hc 79 Box 75
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-2717
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-2717
Grades: PK-8
| 6 students
103 East 10th St
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-7360
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-7360
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
75598 Rd 439
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2745
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2745
Grades: PK-8
| 30 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Dawson County, NE?
The top ranked public schools in Dawson County, NE include Bryan Elementary School, Gothenburg Secondary School and Overton Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Dawson County?
19 public schools are located in Dawson County.
What percentage of students in Dawson County go to public school?
100% of all K-12 students in Dawson County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dawson County?
Dawson County public schools minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Dawson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Dawson County include: Gothenburg Secondary School vs. Cozad High School, Dudley Elementary School vs. Cozad Elementary School, Lexington High School vs. Cozad High School
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