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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Buffalo County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public preschools serving 4,563 students in Buffalo County, NE.
The top-ranked public preschools in Buffalo County, NE are Meadowlark Elementary School, Windy Hills Elementary School and Glenwood Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buffalo County, NE public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 73% (versus the Nebraska public pre school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 50% statewide average). Pre schools in Buffalo County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Nebraska public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public preschool average of 40% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Buffalo County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Meadowlark Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1010 E 53rd St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8210
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Windy Hills Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4211 20th Ave
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8220
Gr: PK-5 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Glenwood Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8105 9th Ave
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8240
Gr: PK-5 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #44.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3000 7th Ave
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8280
Gr: PK-5 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Amherst Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
100 N Sycamore
Amherst, NE 68812
(308) 826-3131
Gr: PK-6 | 203 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #66.
Buffalo Hills Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6110 11th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8290
Gr: PK-5 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Kenwood Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
915 16th Ave
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8200
Gr: PK-5 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Ravenna Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
41750 Carthage Rd
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 452-3202
Gr: PK-6 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #99.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
300 W 24th St
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8040
Gr: PK-5 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1010.
Elm Creek Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
230 East Calkins Avenue
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 856-4300
Gr: PK-6 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Bryant Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1611 Ave C
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8190
Gr: PK-5 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
910 E 34th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8230
Gr: PK-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1313.
Pleasanton Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
303 Church St
Pleasanton, NE 68866
(308) 388-2041
Gr: PK-6 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1414.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2705 Ave E
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8270
Gr: PK-5 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1515.
Gibbon Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1030 Court Street
Gibbon, NE 68840
(308) 468-6546
Gr: PK-6 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1616.
Shelton Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
210 9th St
Shelton, NE 68876
(308) 647-6558
Gr: PK-6 | 159 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: n/an/a
Kearney Education Center
1511 5th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8033
Gr: PK | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 23%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Buffalo County, NE?
The top-ranked public preschools in Buffalo County, NE include Meadowlark Elementary School, Windy Hills Elementary School and Glenwood Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Buffalo County?
17 public preschools are located in Buffalo County.
What is the racial composition of students in Buffalo County?
Buffalo County public preschools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public preschools average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Buffalo County are often viewed compared to one another?

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