For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 825 students in Cherry County, NE (there are , serving 47 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Cherry County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Cherry County, NE are Valentine Middle School, Valentine Elementary School and Littleburg Elementary - 12. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherry County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 72% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Cherry County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cherry County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Valentine Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
239 N Wood
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3367
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3367
Gr: 5-8 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #22.
Valentine Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
615 E 5th St
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3237
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3237
Gr: PK-4 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #33.
Littleburg Elementary - 12
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
28406 300 1st St
Valentine, NE 69201
(605) 378-3881
Valentine, NE 69201
(605) 378-3881
Gr: K-8 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #44.
Cody-kilgore Middle School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
360 West 4th Street
Cody, NE 69211
(402) 823-4117
Cody, NE 69211
(402) 823-4117
Gr: 6-8 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #55.
Cody-kilgore Elementary School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 Nth Burlington Street
Kilgore, NE 69216
(402) 966-2291
Kilgore, NE 69216
(402) 966-2291
Gr: PK-5 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #66.
Cody-kilgore High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
360 W 4th St
Cody, NE 69211
(402) 823-4190
Cody, NE 69211
(402) 823-4190
Gr: 9-12 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #77.
Simeon School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
88709 Simeon Rd
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3367
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3367
Gr: PK-8 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Rank: #88.
Valentine High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
431 N Green St
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1780
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1780
Gr: 9-12 | 152 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #99.
Lakeview Elementary - 09
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
26886 299th St
Crookston, NE 69212
(605) 429-3339
Crookston, NE 69212
(605) 429-3339
Gr: K-8 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1010.
Cutcomb Lake School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
30 Miles S Of Nenzel Nebraska,
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 823-4208
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 823-4208
Gr: PK-8 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Cherry County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Hc 37 Box 44
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2289
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2289
Gr: PK-8 | 4 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Hc 32 Box 29
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3499
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3499
Gr: PK-8 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Hc 32
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3499
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3499
Gr: PK-8 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Po Box 9
Crookston, NE 69212
(402) 425-3331
Crookston, NE 69212
(402) 425-3331
Gr: PK-8 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Hc 74 Box 6
Cody, NE 69211
(402) 823-4208
Cody, NE 69211
(402) 823-4208
Gr: PK-8 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Hc 72 Box 18 A
Crookston, NE 69212
(402) 425-3270
Crookston, NE 69212
(402) 425-3270
Gr: PK-8 | 3 students
Hc 74 Box 26
Nenzel, NE 69219
(402) 823-4386
Nenzel, NE 69219
(402) 823-4386
Gr: PK-8 | 4 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Hc 65 Box 14 A
Elsmere, NE 69135
(308) 834-3285
Elsmere, NE 69135
(308) 834-3285
Gr: PK-8 | 1 student Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
Po Box 212
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2205
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2205
Gr: PK-8 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
1 Mile E Of German Settle Rd,
Crookston, NE 69212
(402) 425-3270
Crookston, NE 69212
(402) 425-3270
Gr: PK-8 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Hc 37 Box 59
Valentine, NE 69201
(308) 748-2294
Valentine, NE 69201
(308) 748-2294
Gr: PK-8 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Hwy 83, Lat 42.336183, Long -1
Valentine, NE 69201
(308) 748-2294
Valentine, NE 69201
(308) 748-2294
Gr: PK-8 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
16b Spur, Lat 42.527458, Long
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1666
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1666
Gr: PK-8 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
15 Nebraska 12
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1458
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1458
Gr: PK-8 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Hc 75 Box 30 A
Merriman, NE 69218
(308) 282-0419
Merriman, NE 69218
(308) 282-0419
Gr: PK-8 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Hc 75
Merriman, NE 69218
(308) 282-0419
Merriman, NE 69218
(308) 282-0419
Gr: PK-8 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Hc 37 Box 22 A
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2606
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2606
Gr: PK-8 | 4 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Hc 32 Box 39
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1666
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1666
Gr: PK-8 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Hc 13 Box 38
Sparks, NE 69220
(402) 376-3419
Sparks, NE 69220
(402) 376-3419
Gr: PK-8 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Hc 58
Brownlee, NE 69126
(308) 748-2258
Brownlee, NE 69126
(308) 748-2258
Gr: PK-6 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
206 E Dexter
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 967-3395
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 967-3395
Gr: PK-8 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Cherry County, NE?
The top ranked public schools in Cherry County, NE include Valentine Middle School, Valentine Elementary School and Littleburg Elementary - 12.
How many public schools are located in Cherry County?
10 public schools are located in Cherry County.
What percentage of students in Cherry County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Cherry County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cherry County?
Cherry County public schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
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