For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public preschools serving 2,331 students in Platte County, NE.
The top-ranked public preschools in Platte County, NE are Shell Creek Elementary School, Humphrey Elementary School and Platte Center Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Platte County, NE public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Nebraska public pre school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 50% statewide average). Pre schools in Platte County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public preschool average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Platte County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Shell Creek Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
16786 280th St
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-8008
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-8008
Gr: PK-6 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Humphrey Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
405 South 7th Street
Humphrey, NE 68642
(402) 923-1230
Humphrey, NE 68642
(402) 923-1230
Gr: PK-6 | 177 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Platte Center Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
155 Platte St
Platte Center, NE 68653
(402) 246-3465
Platte Center, NE 68653
(402) 246-3465
Gr: PK-6 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #44.
Centennial Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
500 Centennial St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-8180
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-8180
Gr: PK-4 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #55.
Lost Creek Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3772 33rd Ave
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7045
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7045
Gr: PK-4 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #66.
North Park Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2200 31st St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7070
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7070
Gr: PK-4 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #77.
West Park Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4100 Adamy St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7075
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7075
Gr: PK-4 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #88.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2410 20th St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7030
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7030
Gr: PK-4 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: n/an/a
Esu 7 Bridges
Special Education School
2563 44th Avenue
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-0815
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-0815
Gr: PK-12
Rank: n/an/a
Esu 7 Learning Academy
Alternative School
2567 44th Ave
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-0815
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-0815
Gr: PK-12
Rank: n/an/a
2410 16th Street
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Gr: PK | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: n/an/a
306 Pine St
Lindsay, NE 68644
(402) 428-2409
Lindsay, NE 68644
(402) 428-2409
Gr: PK-K | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: n/an/a
2508 27th Street
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Gr: PK | 22 students Minority enrollment: 86%
Platte County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Columbus Early Learning Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2657 44th Ave
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-0815
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-0815
Gr: PK-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
350 4th St Box 98
Creston, NE 68631
(402) 285-0143
Creston, NE 68631
(402) 285-0143
Gr: PK-8 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
510 6th St
Duncan, NE 68634
(402) 897-2525
Duncan, NE 68634
(402) 897-2525
Gr: PK-6 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
860 E 29th St
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-4540
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-4540
Gr: PK-8 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
424 Osborn Ave Box 156
Monroe, NE 68647
(402) 495-3135
Monroe, NE 68647
(402) 495-3135
Gr: PK-6 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
405 S 7th Box 278
Humphrey, NE 68642
(402) 923-1230
Humphrey, NE 68642
(402) 923-1230
Gr: PK-6 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Platte County, NE?
The top-ranked public preschools in Platte County, NE include Shell Creek Elementary School, Humphrey Elementary School and Platte Center Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Platte County?
12 public preschools are located in Platte County.
What is the racial composition of students in Platte County?
Platte County public preschools minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public preschools average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Platte County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Platte County include: Emerson Elementary School vs. North Park Elementary School, Lost Creek Elementary School vs. North Park Elementary School, North Park Elementary School vs. Emerson Elementary School
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