For the 2026-27 school year, there are 9 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 Mc Cook Elementary School, Mc Cook Junior High School and Central Elementary 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 68% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), 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 39% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Red Willow County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mc Cook Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1500 W 3rd St
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5681
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5681
Gr: PK-3 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Mc Cook Junior High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
800 W 7th St
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-6940
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-6940
Gr: 6-8 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
604 W 1st
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-3976
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-3976
Gr: 4-5 | 181 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Mc Cook Senior High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
600 W 7th St
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5422
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5422
Gr: 9-12 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #55.
Southwest Elementary-indianola
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
719 E St
Indianola, NE 69034
(308) 364-2613
Indianola, NE 69034
(308) 364-2613
Gr: PK-5 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #66.
Southwest Jr/sr High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
900 Coke St
Bartley, NE 69020
(308) 692-3223
Bartley, NE 69020
(308) 692-3223
Gr: 9-12 | 83 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: n/an/a
Mc Cook Alternative Education
Alternative School
404 West 7th Street
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5631
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5631
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
900 Coke Street
Bartley, NE 69020
(308) 692-3223
Bartley, NE 69020
(308) 692-3223
Gr: 6-8 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Red Willow County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Center For Spec Education (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
N Hwy 83
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-2072
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-2072
Gr: PK-12 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
38397 Road 721
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5679
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5679
Gr: PK-8 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
500 E 5th St
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5624
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5624
Gr: PK-6 | 160 students Minority enrollment: 8%
Po Box 80
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-4419
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-4419
Gr: PK-8 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
101 Arragon St Box 157
Danbury, NE 69026
(308) 895-2467
Danbury, NE 69026
(308) 895-2467
Gr: PK-6 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
103 W Nebraska Box 187
Bartley, NE 69020
(308) 692-3223
Bartley, NE 69020
(308) 692-3223
Gr: 7-12 | 84 students Minority enrollment: 9%
300 W 4th St
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-4106
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-4106
Gr: K-6 | 98 students Minority enrollment: 13%
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 Mc Cook Elementary School, Mc Cook Junior High School and Central Elementary 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 39% (majority Hispanic).
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