For the 2025-26 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 5,185 students in Lincoln County, NE (there are , serving 828 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Lincoln County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Lincoln County, NE are Osgood Elementary School, Mcdonald Elementary School and Lake Maloney Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lincoln County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Lincoln County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Lincoln County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Osgood Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
495 W State Farm Rd
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7144
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7144
Gr: PK | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Mcdonald Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
601 Mc Donald Rd
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7140
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7140
Gr: PK-5 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #33.
Lake Maloney Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
848 E Correction Line Rd
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 532-9392
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 532-9392
Gr: PK-5 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
Hershey Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 S Lincoln
Hershey, NE 69143
(308) 368-5572
Hershey, NE 69143
(308) 368-5572
Gr: PK-6 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #55.
Eisenhower Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3900 West A St
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7134
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7134
Gr: PK-5 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #66.
Wallace Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
151 N Wallace Rd
Wallace, NE 69169
(308) 387-4323
Wallace, NE 69169
(308) 387-4323
Gr: PK-6 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #77.
Sutherland Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
401 Walnut St
Sutherland, NE 69165
(308) 386-4656
Sutherland, NE 69165
(308) 386-4656
Gr: PK-6 | 158 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #88.
Hershey High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
301 S Lincoln
Hershey, NE 69143
(308) 368-5573
Hershey, NE 69143
(308) 368-5573
Gr: 7-12 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #99.
Brady Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
112 E Popleton Ave
Brady, NE 69123
(308) 584-3317
Brady, NE 69123
(308) 584-3317
Gr: PK-6 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1010.
Wallace High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
151 N Wallace Rd
Wallace, NE 69169
(308) 387-4323
Wallace, NE 69169
(308) 387-4323
Gr: 7-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1111.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
600 W 3rd
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7142
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7142
Gr: PK-5 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1212.
Maxwell High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
415 E Hwy 30
Maxwell, NE 69151
(308) 582-4585
Maxwell, NE 69151
(308) 582-4585
Gr: 7-12 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1313.
Adams Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1200 S Mc Donald Rd
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7112
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7112
Gr: 7-8 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1414.
Maxwell Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
415 E Hwy 30
Maxwell, NE 69151
(308) 582-4585
Maxwell, NE 69151
(308) 582-4585
Gr: PK-6 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1515.
Buffalo Early Learning Center
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1600 N Buffalo Bill Ave
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7130
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7130
Gr: PK | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
Cody Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2000 W 2nd St
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7132
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7132
Gr: PK-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
200 W 9th St
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7138
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7138
Gr: PK-5 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
Sutherland High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
401 Walnut
Sutherland, NE 69165
(308) 386-4656
Sutherland, NE 69165
(308) 386-4656
Gr: 7-12 | 136 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1919.
Madison Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1400 N Madison
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7126
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7126
Gr: 6 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #2020.
Brady High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
112 E Popleton Ave
Brady, NE 69123
(308) 584-3317
Brady, NE 69123
(308) 584-3317
Gr: 7-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #2121.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
700 E 3rd St
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7136
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7136
Gr: PK-5 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2222.
North Platte High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1220 West 2nd
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7105
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-7105
Gr: 9-12 | 1,189 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Lincoln County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
2300 East 2nd St
North Platte, NE 69103
(308) 532-2229
North Platte, NE 69103
(308) 532-2229
Gr: 7-12
1504 E Hwy 92 Box 52 A
Sutherland, NE 69165
(308) 764-2290
Sutherland, NE 69165
(308) 764-2290
Gr: PK-6 | 3 students
3199 N Studley Rd
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 532-2470
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 532-2470
Gr: 1-5 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
1511 W 14th St
North Platte, NE 69103
(308) 535-5311
North Platte, NE 69103
(308) 535-5311
Gr: 9-12 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
1600 N Buffalo Bill Ave
North Platte, NE 69103
(308) 535-7130
North Platte, NE 69103
(308) 535-7130
Gr: PK-6 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
7044 W State Farm Rd
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 532-0423
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 532-0423
Gr: K-8 | 7 students Minority enrollment: 14%
301 S Lincoln Box 369
Hershey, NE 69143
(308) 368-5573
Hershey, NE 69143
(308) 368-5573
Gr: 7-12 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
10467 W Platte Valley Rd
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 532-5918
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 532-5918
Gr: PK-8 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Po Box 39
Hershey, NE 69143
(308) 532-0331
Hershey, NE 69143
(308) 532-0331
Gr: PK-8 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
1200 Mc Donald Rd
North Platte, NE 69103
(308) 535-5382
North Platte, NE 69103
(308) 535-5382
Gr: 7-8 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Lincoln County, NE?
The top ranked public schools in Lincoln County, NE include Osgood Elementary School, Mcdonald Elementary School and Lake Maloney Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Lincoln County?
22 public schools are located in Lincoln County.
What percentage of students in Lincoln County go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Lincoln County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lincoln County?
Lincoln County public schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Lincoln County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lincoln County include: Adams Middle School vs. Hershey High School, Buffalo Early Learning Center vs. Washington Elementary School, Maxwell High School vs. North Platte High School
Recent Articles
School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.
Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.
Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.
