📊 Data: NCES CCD 2024–2025·🔄 Updated: May 2026·Editorial standards
🏆 Rankings · State Test Data (EDFacts 2017–18)

Best School Districts
in Nebraska

Nebraska has 203 rated public school districts. Rankings reflect state reading & math assessment proficiency, percentile-ranked within each state. Use the zip code search to find and compare districts near your address.

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📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2017–18), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
Top 25 Districts Nebraska Sorted by rating — highest first
#DistrictCityRatingState Percentile
#1Elkhorn Public SchoolsElkhorn10/10  Excellent99th
#2Arnold Public SchoolsArnold7/10  Good67th
#3Bennington Public SchoolsBennington7/10  Good67th
#4Bloomfield Community SchoolsBloomfield7/10  Good67th
#5Diller-Odell Public SchoolsDiller7/10  Good67th
#6Elmwood-Murdock Public SchoolsElmwood7/10  Good67th
#7Fort Calhoun Community SchoolsFort Calhoun7/10  Good67th
#8Franklin Public SchoolsBloomington7/10  Good67th
#9Gretna Public SchoolsGretna7/10  Good67th
#10Hampton Public SchoolsHampton7/10  Good67th
#11Hay Springs Public SchoolsHay Springs7/10  Good67th
#12Heartland Community SchoolsBradshaw7/10  Good67th
#13Howells-Dodge Consolidated SchoolsDodge7/10  Good67th
#14Johnson-Brock Public SchoolsBrock7/10  Good67th
#15Loup County Public SchoolsTaylor7/10  Good67th
#16Malcolm Public SchoolsMalcolm7/10  Good67th
#17Milford Public SchoolsMilford7/10  Good67th
#18Millard Public SchoolsOmaha7/10  Good67th
#19Osmond Community SchoolsMclean7/10  Good67th
#20Palmer Public SchoolsPalmer7/10  Good67th
#21Pender Public SchoolsPender7/10  Good67th
#22Pierce Public SchoolsPierce7/10  Good67th
#23Ponca Public SchoolsJackson7/10  Good67th
#24Potter-Dix Public SchoolsDix7/10  Good67th
#25Seward Public SchoolsBee7/10  Good67th

Best School Districts in Nebraska (2026)

This ranking covers 203 rated public school districts in Nebraska, scored using NCES EDFacts state assessment data for the 2017–18 school year — the most recent district-level federal collection we have processed. Each district's reading and math proficiency rates are averaged, then ranked against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score.

A district's score reflects how its students perform on state assessments relative to same-state peers — it is not a direct measure of teaching quality, school culture, or individual student outcomes. Always visit schools, talk to local families, and contact districts directly before making decisions. Learn how ratings are calculated →

How to Use This List

Click any district name to see its zip code page and confirm your exact assignment with the district office. Boundaries don't always follow city or neighborhood lines — the zip code search gives you the most accurate result.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best school district in Nebraska?
Based on state reading and math assessment proficiency (NCES EDFacts, 2017–18), the top-rated district is Elkhorn Public Schools in Elkhorn, rated 10/10 (Excellent).
How are these rankings calculated?
Rankings use the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2017–18), ranked against other districts in the same state, then converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.
Are ratings based on test scores?
Yes. Ratings are based directly on state reading and math assessment proficiency rates, not on enrollment, spending, or school count. They are a starting point for research, not a final verdict on school quality.