For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 3,779 students in Saline County, NE (there are 1 private school, serving 110 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Saline County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Saline County, NE are Tri County Elementary School, Friend Elementary School and Crete Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Saline County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Saline County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Saline County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Tri County Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
72520 Hwy 103
De Witt, NE 68341
(402) 683-4035
De Witt, NE 68341
(402) 683-4035
Gr: PK-6 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Friend Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
501 Main St
Friend, NE 68359
(402) 947-2781
Friend, NE 68359
(402) 947-2781
Gr: PK-6 | 127 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Crete Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 90% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
309 E 11th St
Crete, NE 68333
(402) 826-5822
Crete, NE 68333
(402) 826-5822
Gr: PK-2 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #44.
Crete Intermediate School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1700 Glenwood Ave
Crete, NE 68333
(402) 826-5833
Crete, NE 68333
(402) 826-5833
Gr: 3-5 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #55.
Tri County Jr-sr High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
72520 Hwy 103
De Witt, NE 68341
(402) 683-2015
De Witt, NE 68341
(402) 683-2015
Gr: 7-12 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #66.
Dorchester Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
506 W 9th
Dorchester, NE 68343
(402) 946-2781
Dorchester, NE 68343
(402) 946-2781
Gr: PK-6 | 141 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #77.
Friend High Schools
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
501 Main St
Friend, NE 68359
(402) 947-2781
Friend, NE 68359
(402) 947-2781
Gr: 7-12 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #88.
Crete Middle School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1500 E 15th St
Crete, NE 68333
(402) 826-5844
Crete, NE 68333
(402) 826-5844
Gr: 6-8 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #99.
Elementary School At Wilber
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
900 South Franklin Street
Wilber, NE 68465
(402) 821-2141
Wilber, NE 68465
(402) 821-2141
Gr: PK-5 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1010.
Wilber-clatonia High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
900 South Franklin Street
Wilber, NE 68465
(402) 821-2058
Wilber, NE 68465
(402) 821-2058
Gr: 9-12 | 193 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1111.
Wilber-clatonia Middle School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
900 South Franklin St
Wilber, NE 68465
(402) 821-2058
Wilber, NE 68465
(402) 821-2058
Gr: 6-8 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1212.
Dorchester High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
506 W 9th
Dorchester, NE 68343
(402) 946-2781
Dorchester, NE 68343
(402) 946-2781
Gr: 7-12 | 89 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1313.
Crete High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1750 Iris Ave
Crete, NE 68333
(402) 826-5811
Crete, NE 68333
(402) 826-5811
Gr: 9-12 | 705 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: n/an/a
309 E 11th Street
Crete, NE 68333
(402) 826-5822
Crete, NE 68333
(402) 826-5822
Gr: PK | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: n/an/a
Crete Success Academy
Alternative School
1500 E 15th Street
Crete, NE 68333
(402) 826-5811
Crete, NE 68333
(402) 826-5811
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Saline County, NE?
The top-ranked public schools in Saline County, NE include Tri County Elementary School, Friend Elementary School and Crete Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Saline County?
15 public schools are located in Saline County.
What percentage of students in Saline County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Saline County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Saline County?
Saline County public schools minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Saline County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Saline County include: Tri County Elementary School vs. Crete Elementary School, Tri County Elementary School vs. Friend Elementary School, Friend Elementary School vs. Tri County Elementary School
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.
