For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public preschools serving 606 students in Howard County, NE.
The top-ranked public preschools in Howard County, NE are St. Libory Elementary School, St. Paul Elementary School and Elba Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Howard County, NE public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 68% (versus the Nebraska public pre school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 50% statewide average). Pre schools in Howard County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public preschool average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Howard County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
St. Libory Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
435 St Paul Road
Saint Libory, NE 68872
(308) 687-6475
Saint Libory, NE 68872
(308) 687-6475
Gr: PK-8 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
St. Paul Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1305 Howard Ave
Saint Paul, NE 68873
(308) 754-4433
Saint Paul, NE 68873
(308) 754-4433
Gr: PK-6 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Elba Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
711 Caroline St
Elba, NE 68835
(308) 863-2228
Elba, NE 68835
(308) 863-2228
Gr: PK-6 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Howard County, NE?
The top-ranked public preschools in Howard County, NE include St. Libory Elementary School, St. Paul Elementary School and Elba Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Howard County?
3 public preschools are located in Howard County.
What is the racial composition of students in Howard County?
Howard County public preschools minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public preschools average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.