For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 1,004 students in Butler County, NE (there are , serving 736 private students). 58% of all K-12 students in Butler County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Butler County, NE are Elementary School At Dwight, David City Elementary School and Bellwood Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Butler County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Butler County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Butler County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Elementary School At Dwight
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
292 N 1st St
Dwight, NE 68635
(402) 566-2445
Dwight, NE 68635
(402) 566-2445
Grades: PK-6
| 53 students
Rank: #22.
David City Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
826 E St
David City, NE 68632
(402) 367-3779
David City, NE 68632
(402) 367-3779
Grades: PK-6
| 292 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Bellwood Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
612 Park St
Bellwood, NE 68624
(402) 538-4805
Bellwood, NE 68624
(402) 538-4805
Grades: PK-5
| 86 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Elementary School At Brainard
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
212 S Madison
Brainard, NE 68626
(402) 545-2081
Brainard, NE 68626
(402) 545-2081
Grades: PK-6
| 118 students
Rank: #55.
David City Secondary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
750 D St
David City, NE 68632
(402) 367-3187
David City, NE 68632
(402) 367-3187
Grades: 7-12
| 316 students
Rank: #66.
High School At Brainard
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
212 S Madison
Brainard, NE 68626
(402) 545-2081
Brainard, NE 68626
(402) 545-2081
Grades: 7-12
| 139 students
Butler County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
101 Ash Box 184
Abie, NE 68001
(402) 543-2347
Abie, NE 68001
(402) 543-2347
Grades: PK-8
| 11 students
96 Elm St Po Box 75
Bruno, NE 68014
(402) 543-2302
Bruno, NE 68014
(402) 543-2302
Grades: PK-8
| 2 students
341 Beech St Box 100
Linwood, NE 68036
(402) 666-5617
Linwood, NE 68036
(402) 666-5617
Grades: K-8
| 7 students
400 East Spruce
Rising City, NE 68658
(402) 542-2216
Rising City, NE 68658
(402) 542-2216
Grades: PK-6
| 32 students
400 East Spruce
Rising City, NE 68658
(402) 542-2216
Rising City, NE 68658
(402) 542-2216
Grades: 7-12
| 49 students
4411 O Road
Bellwood, NE 68624
(402) 539-2195
Bellwood, NE 68624
(402) 539-2195
Grades: PK-8
| 10 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Butler County, NE?
The top ranked public schools in Butler County, NE include Elementary School At Dwight, David City Elementary School and Bellwood Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Butler County?
6 public schools are located in Butler County.
What percentage of students in Butler County go to public school?
58% of all K-12 students in Butler County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Butler County?
Butler County public schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.