For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 568 students in Valley County, NE (there are 1 private school, serving 56 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Valley County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Valley County, NE are Arcadia High School, Arcadia Elementary School and Ord Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Valley County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Valley County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Valley County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Arcadia High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
320 W Owens St
Arcadia, NE 68815
(308) 789-6522
Arcadia, NE 68815
(308) 789-6522
Gr: 7-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Arcadia Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
320 W Owens St
Arcadia, NE 68815
(308) 789-6522
Arcadia, NE 68815
(308) 789-6522
Gr: PK-6 | 82 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #33.
Ord Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
820 S 16th St
Ord, NE 68862
(308) 728-3331
Ord, NE 68862
(308) 728-3331
Gr: PK-6 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Ord Jr-sr High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
320 N 19th
Ord, NE 68862
(308) 728-3241
Ord, NE 68862
(308) 728-3241
Gr: 7-12 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Valley County, NE?
The top-ranked public schools in Valley County, NE include Arcadia High School, Arcadia Elementary School and Ord Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Valley County?
2 public schools are located in Valley County.
What percentage of students in Valley County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Valley County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Valley County?
Valley County public schools minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 39% (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.