For the 2025-26 school year, there are 10 public elementary schools serving 2,948 students in Dakota County, NE.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Dakota County, NE are Homer Elementary School, Emerson-hubbard Elementary School and Dakota City Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dakota County, NE public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the Nebraska public elementary school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 47% statewide average). Elementary schools in Dakota County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public elementary school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Dakota County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Homer Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
212 S 3rd
Homer, NE 68030
(402) 698-2377
Homer, NE 68030
(402) 698-2377
Gr: PK-6 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
Emerson-hubbard Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
109 W Third St
Emerson, NE 68733
(402) 695-2654
Emerson, NE 68733
(402) 695-2654
Gr: PK-5 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Dakota City Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1801 Locust St
Dakota City, NE 68731
(402) 987-3363
Dakota City, NE 68731
(402) 987-3363
Gr: PK-5 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #44.
Harney Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1001 Arbor Drive
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1446
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1446
Gr: PK-5 | 359 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #55.
Cardinal Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
820 E 29th Street
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1662
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1662
Gr: PK-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #66.
Emerson-hubbard Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1503 Dakota St
Emerson, NE 68733
(402) 695-2636
Emerson, NE 68733
(402) 695-2636
Gr: 6-8 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #77.
Lewis & Clark Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 2nd Ave
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1917
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1917
Gr: PK-5 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #88.
South Sioux City Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3625 G Street
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-3061
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-3061
Gr: 6-8 | 760 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #99.
Covington Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2116 A Street
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-4238
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-4238
Gr: PK-5 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: n/an/a
223 N John St
Jackson, NE 68743
(402) 632-4276
Jackson, NE 68743
(402) 632-4276
Gr: PK-2 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Dakota County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
100 Futures Dr
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-4185
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-4185
Gr: 6-12
Gateway To Learning (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
1000 West 29th St
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-0121
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-0121
223 N John St Po Box 67
Jackson, NE 68743
(402) 632-4276
Jackson, NE 68743
(402) 632-4276
Gr: PK-8 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Dakota County, NE?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Dakota County, NE include Homer Elementary School, Emerson-hubbard Elementary School and Dakota City Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Dakota County?
10 public elementary schools are located in Dakota County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dakota County?
Dakota County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public elementary schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Dakota County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Dakota County include: Cardinal Elementary School vs. Dakota City Elementary School, Harney Elementary School vs. Dakota City Elementary School, Homer Elementary School vs. Dakota City Elementary School
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