For the 2025-26 school year, there are 10 public preschools serving 2,684 students in Adams County, NE.
The top ranked public preschools in Adams County, NE are Adams Central Elementary School, Kenesaw Elementary School and Hawthorne Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Adams County, NE public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the Nebraska public pre school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 50% statewide average). Pre schools in Adams County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public preschool average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Adams County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Adams Central Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
975 S Adams Central Ave
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-0040
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-0040
Gr: PK-6 | 498 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Kenesaw Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
110 N 5th Ave
Kenesaw, NE 68956
(402) 752-3215
Kenesaw, NE 68956
(402) 752-3215
Gr: PK-6 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #33.
Hawthorne Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2200 W 9th St
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7540
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7540
Gr: PK-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #44.
Raymond A Watson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1720 N Crane
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7593
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7593
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #55.
Longfellow Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
828 N Hastings Ave
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7584
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7584
Gr: PK-5 | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #66.
Alcott Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
313 N Cedar
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7580
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7580
Gr: PK-5 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #77.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
720 S Franklin
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7589
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7589
Gr: PK-5 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: n/an/a
512 N Brass Ave
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2245
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2245
Gr: PK | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: n/an/a
5807 Osborne Drive West
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-5611
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-5611
Gr: PK
Rank: n/an/a
1515 West 8th Street
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7545
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7545
Gr: PK | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Adams County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
123 Marian Rd
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 462-4187
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 462-4187
Gr: PK | 13 students Minority enrollment: 8%
123 Marian Rd
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 462-4187
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 462-4187
Gr: PK | 13 students Minority enrollment: 8%
1270 S First St Box 91
Ayr, NE 68925
(402) 463-8844
Ayr, NE 68925
(402) 463-8844
Gr: PK-6 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
1270 South First St
Ayr, NE 68925
(402) 463-8844
Ayr, NE 68925
(402) 463-8844
Gr: PK-6 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
1970 E 12th St
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-6107
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-6107
Gr: PK-6 | 152 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
9625 S Holstein Box 98
Holstein, NE 68950
(402) 756-5151
Holstein, NE 68950
(402) 756-5151
Gr: PK-8 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
512 N Brass Ave
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2245
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2245
Gr: PK-6 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Life Skills Program (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1117 E South St, Po Box 2047
Hastings, NE 68902
(402) 463-5611
Hastings, NE 68902
(402) 463-5611
Gr: PK-12
731 N Baltimore
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7545
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-7545
Gr: PK-5 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
9765 W Lochland Rd
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2438
Juniata, NE 68955
(402) 751-2438
Gr: PK-6 | 9 students
1300 East Lochland Rd
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-8326
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-8326
Gr: PK-6 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
2975 S Baltimore Ave
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-5090
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-5090
Gr: PK-6 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
4200 2nd St
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 460-3111
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 460-3111
Gr: 9-12 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Adams County, NE?
The top ranked public preschools in Adams County, NE include Adams Central Elementary School, Kenesaw Elementary School and Hawthorne Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Adams County?
10 public preschools are located in Adams County.
What is the racial composition of students in Adams County?
Adams County public preschools minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public preschools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Adams County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Adams County include: Raymond A Watson Elementary School vs. Hawthorne Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School vs. Longfellow Elementary School, Hawthorne Elementary School vs. Longfellow Elementary School
Recent Articles
Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Latest data and policy changes on Texas public school enrollment growth, funding, and virtual education in 2025.
Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in Public Schools
Learn about financial aid and hidden costs in public schools. Discover what parents should budget for beyond tuition-free education.
NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
Despite reforms, New York City schools remain the most segregated in the U.S. in 2025. Here鈥檚 what parents and educators need to know.
