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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Adams County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 5,137 students in Adams County, NE (there are 4 private schools, serving 946 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Adams County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Adams County, NE are Adams Central Elementary School, Kenesaw Secondary School and Kenesaw Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Adams County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Adams County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Adams County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Adams Central Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
975 S Adams Central Ave
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-0040
Gr: PK-6 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Kenesaw Secondary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
110 N 5th Ave
Kenesaw, NE 68956
(402) 752-3215
Gr: 7-12 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Kenesaw Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
110 N 5th Ave
Kenesaw, NE 68956
(402) 752-3215
Gr: PK-6 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #44.
Adams Central Jr-sr High School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1090 S Adams Central Rd
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-3285
Gr: 7-12 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #55.
Hawthorne Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2200 W 9th St
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7540
Gr: PK-5 | 343 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #66.
Hastings Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
201 N Marian Road
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7520
Gr: 6-8 | 757 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #77.
Raymond A Watson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1720 N Crane
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7593
Gr: PK-5 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #88.
Silver Lake High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
9405 S Lincoln Ave
Roseland, NE 68973
(402) 756-6611
Gr: 7-12 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #99.
Longfellow Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
828 N Hastings Ave
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7584
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1010.
Hastings Senior High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1100 W 14th St
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7550
Gr: 9-12 | 991 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1111.
Alcott Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
313 N Cedar
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7580
Gr: PK-5 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1212.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
720 S Franklin
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7589
Gr: PK-5 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: n/an/a
18+ Program
Special Education School
5807 Osborne Drive West
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-5611
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Adams Central Early Childhood Center
512 N Brass Ave
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2245
Gr: PK | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: n/an/a
Esu #9 Preschool Home Base Prg
5807 Osborne Drive West
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-5611
Gr: PK
Rank: n/an/a
Morton Early Learning Center
1515 West 8th Street
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7545
Gr: PK | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 46:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
West Hastings High School
4200 W 2nd St
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 460-3111
Gr: 8-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 82%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Adams County, NE?
The top-ranked public schools in Adams County, NE include Adams Central Elementary School, Kenesaw Secondary School and Kenesaw Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Adams County?
19 public schools are located in Adams County.
What percentage of students in Adams County go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Adams County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Adams County?
Adams County public schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Adams County are often viewed compared to one another?

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