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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Kearney Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 6,131 students in Kearney, NE (there are 3 private schools, serving 624 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Kearney, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%). Kearney has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Nebraska.
The top-ranked public schools in Kearney, 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.
Kearney, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 69% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Kearney have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Kearney, NE (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.
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: #66.
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: #77.
Horizon Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
915 W 35th St
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8120
Gr: 6-8 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #88.
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: #99.
Sunrise Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4611 Ave N
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8150
Gr: 6-8 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
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: #10 - 1110. - 11.
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: #1212.
Kearney High School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2702 West 11th Street
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8060
Gr: 9-12 | 1,663 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1313.
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: #1414.
West Kearney High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2802 30th Ave
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 338-2011
Gr: 8-12 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: n/an/a
Hanny Arram Center
Alternative School
3907 6th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-6900
Gr: 6-12 | 2 students
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 schools in Kearney, NE?
How many public schools are located in Kearney?
16 public schools are located in Kearney.
What percentage of students in Kearney go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Kearney are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Kearney?
Kearney public schools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Kearney are often viewed compared to one another?

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