For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 825 students in Cherry County, NE (there are 1 private school, serving 44 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Cherry County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cherry County, NE are Valentine Middle School, Valentine Elementary School and Littleburg Elementary - 12. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherry County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 72% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Cherry County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cherry County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Valentine Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
239 N Wood
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3367
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3367
Gr: 5-8 | 159 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
Valentine Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
615 E 5th St
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3237
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3237
Gr: PK-4 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
Littleburg Elementary - 12
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
28406 300 1st St
Valentine, NE 69201
(605) 378-3881
Valentine, NE 69201
(605) 378-3881
Gr: K-8
Rank: #44.
Cody-kilgore Middle School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
360 West 4th Street
Cody, NE 69211
(402) 823-4117
Cody, NE 69211
(402) 823-4117
Gr: 6-8 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #55.
Cody-kilgore Elementary School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 Nth Burlington Street
Kilgore, NE 69216
(402) 966-2291
Kilgore, NE 69216
(402) 966-2291
Gr: PK-5 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #66.
Cody-kilgore High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
360 W 4th St
Cody, NE 69211
(402) 823-4190
Cody, NE 69211
(402) 823-4190
Gr: 9-12 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #77.
Simeon School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
88709 Simeon Rd
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3367
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3367
Gr: PK-8 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: #88.
Valentine High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
431 N Green St
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1780
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1780
Gr: 9-12 | 158 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #99.
Lakeview Elementary - 09
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
26886 299th St
Crookston, NE 69212
(605) 429-3339
Crookston, NE 69212
(605) 429-3339
Gr: K-8 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1010.
Cutcomb Lake School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
30 Miles S Of Nenzel Nebraska,
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 823-4208
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 823-4208
Gr: PK-8 | 4 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Cherry County, NE?
The top-ranked public schools in Cherry County, NE include Valentine Middle School, Valentine Elementary School and Littleburg Elementary - 12.
How many public schools are located in Cherry County?
10 public schools are located in Cherry County.
What percentage of students in Cherry County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Cherry County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cherry County?
Cherry County public schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
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