Kearney Public Schools operates 30 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Kearney Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 23,000 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 30 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $13,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | ↓ 31% below avg |
| District Type | Suburban | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 4/10 — Below Average | — | Above average |
- MEADOWLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 417 students
- SUNRISE MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 536 students
- BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 248 students
- CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 284 students
- EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 235 students
- HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 648 students
- KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 1663 students
- KENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 398 students
- NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 397 students
- PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 257 students
- WINDY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 259 students
- GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 118 students
- KEARNEY EDUCATION CENTER — Grades PK–PK · 332 students
- BUFFALO HILLS ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 272 students
- HANNY ARRAM CENTER — Grades 6–12 · 2 students
- BEADLE MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 1,011 students
- KIEWIT MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 967 students
- HARRY ANDERSEN MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 898 students
- MILLARD NORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 820 students
- MILLARD CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 811 students
- RUSSELL MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 760 students
- MILLARD NORTH HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 2,572 students
- MILLARD SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 2,526 students
- MILLARD WEST HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 2,344 students
About Kearney Public Schools
Zip code 68849 in Kearney, Nebraska is served by Kearney Public Schools for public school enrollment. The district covers grades K–12. This page provides a data-driven overview of Kearney Public Schools’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Kearney Public Schools spends approximately $13,000 per student per year, placing it near the Nebraska state average of approximately $13,000 and near the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Near-average districts typically provide core academic programs with adequate staffing, though program breadth may be more limited than in higher-funded systems. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 15 schools serving grades K–12, Kearney Public Schools qualifies as a large district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 6,152 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 4/10 Rating
With a rating of 4/10 (below average), Kearney Public Schools ranks among Nebraska’s below average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Nebraska is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Kearney Public Schools carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Nebraska benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 68849
Children in zip code 68849 are assigned to Kearney Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 68849, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Kearney Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Nebraska districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Kearney
For families considering a purchase in the Kearney area, district assignment matters financially. Because Kearney Public Schools serves zip code 68849, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 68849. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Nebraska, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Kearney Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 68849.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Kearney Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 68849 data.