For the 2025 school year, there are 5 public middle schools serving 1,465 students in Dawson County, NE.
The top ranked public middle schools in Dawson County, NE are Gothenburg Secondary School, Cozad Middle School and Overton High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dawson County, NE public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Nebraska public middle school average of 44%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 44% statewide average). Middle schools in Dawson County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public middle school average of 34% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Dawson County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Gothenburg Secondary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1322 Avenue I
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3651
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3651
Grades: 7-12
| 371 students
Rank: #22.
Cozad Middle School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1810 Meridian Ave
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2746
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2746
Grades: 6-8
| 201 students
Rank: #33.
Overton High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
401 7th St
Overton, NE 68863
(308) 987-2424
Overton, NE 68863
(308) 987-2424
Grades: 7-12
| 115 students
Rank: #44.
Lexington Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1100 N Washington
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2349
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2349
Grades: 6-8
| 678 students
Rank: #55.
Junior-senior High At Sumner
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
205 E 5th Ave
Sumner, NE 68878
(308) 752-2925
Sumner, NE 68878
(308) 752-2925
Grades: 7-12
| 100 students
Dawson County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
77050 Hwy 47
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3155
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3155
Grades: PK-8
| 7 students
808 Ave D
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2154
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2154
Grades: K-6
| 143 students
Cozad Alternative Ed Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1910 Meridian Ave
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2745
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2745
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
76398 Road 421
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-3573
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-3573
Grades: PK-8
| 22 students
75885 Road 428
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 324-2829
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 324-2829
Grades: PK-8
| 12 students
75598 Rd 439 Po Box 755
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2745
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2745
Grades: PK-8
| 26 students
75905 Road 431
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3615
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3615
Grades: PK-8
| 26 students
700 N Washington Rm 201
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 784-3573
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 784-3573
Grades: K-8
| 5 students
75795 Hwy 21
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2741
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2741
Grades: PK-8
| 32 students
77131 Road 431
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3604
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3604
Grades: PK-8
| 6 students
76955 Road 417
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3161
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3161
Grades: PK-8
| 10 students
123 Caribou St Box 128
Farnam, NE 69029
(308) 569-2331
Farnam, NE 69029
(308) 569-2331
Grades: 6-8
| 75 students
75710 Road 436
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3626
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3626
Grades: PK-8
| 19 students
Lexington Child Develop Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1609 N Erie
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-8811
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-8811
Grades: PK
| 9 students
Hc 79 Box 75
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-2717
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-2717
Grades: PK-8
| 6 students
103 East 10th St
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-7360
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-7360
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
75598 Rd 439
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2745
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2745
Grades: PK-8
| 30 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Dawson County, NE?
The top ranked public middle schools in Dawson County, NE include Gothenburg Secondary School, Cozad Middle School and Overton High School.
How many public middle schools are located in Dawson County?
5 public middle schools are located in Dawson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dawson County?
Dawson County public middle schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public middle schools average of 34% (majority Hispanic).
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