Top 5 Best Red Willow County Public Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 1,701 students in Red Willow County, NE (there are 1 private school, serving 169 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Red Willow County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Red Willow County, NE are Central Elementary School, Mc Cook Senior High School and Mc Cook Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Red Willow County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Red Willow County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Red Willow County (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
604 W 1st
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-3976
Grades: 4-5
| 188 students
Rank: #22.
Mc Cook Senior High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
600 W 7th St
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5422
Grades: 9-12
| 450 students
Rank: #33.
Mc Cook Junior High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
800 W 7th St
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-6940
Grades: 6-8
| 310 students
Rank: #44.
Mc Cook Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1500 W 3rd St
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5681
Grades: PK-3
| 438 students
Rank: #55.
Southwest Jr/sr High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
900 Coke St
Bartley, NE 69020
(308) 692-3223
Grades: 7-12
| 121 students
Rank: #66.
Southwest Elementary-indianola
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
719 E St
Indianola, NE 69034
(308) 364-2613
Grades: PK-6
| 194 students
Rank: n/an/a
Step School
Alternative School
305 East 1st
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-7341
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Red Willow County, NE

Red Willow County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
N Hwy 83
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-2072
Grades: PK-12
| 6 students
38397 Road 721
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5679
Grades: PK-8
| 10 students
500 E 5th St
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5624
Grades: PK-6
| 160 students
Po Box 80
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-4419
Grades: PK-8
| 38 students
404 West 7th Street
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5631
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
101 Arragon St Box 157
Danbury, NE 69026
(308) 895-2467
Grades: PK-6
| 17 students
103 W Nebraska Box 187
Bartley, NE 69020
(308) 692-3223
Grades: 7-12
| 84 students
103 W Nebraska
Bartley, NE 69020
(308) 692-3223
Grades: 6-8
| 77 students
300 W 4th St
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-4106
Grades: K-6
| 98 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Red Willow County, NE?
The top ranked public schools in Red Willow County, NE include Central Elementary School, Mc Cook Senior High School and Mc Cook Junior High School.
How many public schools are located in Red Willow County?
7 public schools are located in Red Willow County.
What percentage of students in Red Willow County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Red Willow County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Red Willow County?
Red Willow County public schools minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).

Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.

Quick Links