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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Dawson County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 5,513 students in Dawson County, NE (there are 1 private school, serving 9 private students). 100% of all K-12 students in Dawson County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Dawson County, NE are Bryan Elementary School, Overton Elementary School and Gothenburg Secondary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dawson County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Dawson County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Dawson County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bryan Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1003 N Harrison
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3762
Gr: PK-5 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #22.
Overton Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
401 7th St
Overton, NE 68863
(308) 987-2424
Gr: PK-6 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Gothenburg Secondary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1322 Avenue I
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3651
Gr: 7-12 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #44.
Elementary School At Sumner
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
205 E 5th Ave
Sumner, NE 68878
(308) 752-2925
Gr: PK-6 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #55.
Cozad Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1810 Meridian Ave
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2746
Gr: 6-8 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #66.
Overton High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
401 7th St
Overton, NE 68863
(308) 987-2424
Gr: 7-12 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #77.
Cozad Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
420 East 14th Street
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-3462
Gr: PK-5 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #88.
Dudley Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1311 Avenue G
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3651
Gr: PK-6 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #99.
Junior-senior High At Sumner
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
205 E 5th Ave
Sumner, NE 68878
(308) 752-2925
Gr: 7-12 | 104 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1010.
Morton Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74% )
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
505 S Lincoln
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3764
Gr: PK-1 | 321 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1111.
Lexington Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1100 N Washington
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2349
Gr: 6-8 | 672 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1212.
Cozad High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1710 Meridian Ave
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2744
Gr: 9-12 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1313.
Sandoz Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1711 N Erie
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-5540
Gr: 2-3 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1414.
Pershing Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1104 N Tyler
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3765
Gr: 4-5 | 312 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1515.
Lexington High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1400 Minuteman Drive
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-4691
Gr: 9-12 | 915 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: n/an/a
Cozad Early Education Center
420 East 14th Street
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-3462
Gr: PK | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
Early Intervention/homebound
Special Education School
1501 Plum Creek Parkway
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-1841
Gr: PK
Rank: n/an/a
Early Learning Academy
1503 Plum Creek Parkway
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-1841
Gr: PK | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 93%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Dawson County, NE?
The top-ranked public schools in Dawson County, NE include Bryan Elementary School, Overton Elementary School and Gothenburg Secondary School.
How many public schools are located in Dawson County?
19 public schools are located in Dawson County.
What percentage of students in Dawson County go to public school?
100% of all K-12 students in Dawson County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dawson County?
Dawson County public schools minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Dawson County are often viewed compared to one another?

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