Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Polk County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Polk County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 1,130 students in Polk County, NE (there are 1 private school, serving 16 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Polk County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Polk County, NE are Cross County Elementary School, Osceola Elementary School and Cross County Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 58% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Polk County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cross County Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1270 123rd Road
Stromsburg, NE 68666
(402) 764-5521
Gr: PK-5 | 178 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Osceola Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
341 S Kimmel
Osceola, NE 68651
(402) 747-2091
Gr: PK-5 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #33.
Cross County Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1270 123rd Rd
Stromsburg, NE 68666
(402) 764-5521
Gr: 6-8 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Shelby - Rising City High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
650 N Walnut
Shelby, NE 68662
(402) 527-5946
Gr: 9-12 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Osceola Middle School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
565 S Kimmel
Osceola, NE 68651
(402) 747-3121
Gr: 6-8 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #66.
Shelby - Rising City Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
650 N Walnut
Shelby, NE 68662
(402) 527-5946
Gr: PK-5 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #77.
Cross County High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1270 123rd Rd
Stromsburg, NE 68666
(402) 764-5521
Gr: 9-12 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Osceola High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
565 S Kimmel
Osceola, NE 68651
(402) 747-3121
Gr: 9-12 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #99.
High Plains Community Jr/sr High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
345 S Pine
Polk, NE 68654
(402) 765-3331
Gr: 7-12 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1010.
Shelby - Rising City Middle School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
650 N Walnut St
Shelby, NE 68662
(402) 527-5946
Gr: 6-8 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Polk County, NE?
The top-ranked public schools in Polk County, NE include Cross County Elementary School, Osceola Elementary School and Cross County Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Polk County?
10 public schools are located in Polk County.
What percentage of students in Polk County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Polk County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public schools minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic).

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (NE):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
 Nebraska Top-Ranked Public Schools
Nebraska Top-Ranked Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
 The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
 Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons

More Articles

Teaching
Opinion
About Public Schools
Public School Jobs
Parenting and Learning Issues