| Metric | Northwest Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 1,465 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 5 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $15,051/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 15% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Public Schools (this district) | 8/10 | 70th | 1,465 |
| Grand Island Public Schools | Not rated | — | 9,990 |
| Centura Public Schools | 7/10 | 68th | 481 |
| Central City Public Schools | 5/10 | 44th | 767 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 239 rated districts in NE → 70th percentile → 8/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
- ST LIBORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 1.6 mi · Grades PK–8 · 161 students
- 1R ELEMENTARY — 6.7 mi · Grades PK–8 · 194 students
- LOCKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 9.7 mi · Grades PK–PK · 32 students
- NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL — 10.3 mi · Grades 9–12 · 680 students
- CEDAR HOLLOW SCHOOL — 16.7 mi · Grades PK–8 · 378 students
About Northwest Public Schools
Northwest Public Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 68872 in Saint Libory, Nebraska. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 68872. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Northwest Public Schools 8 out of 10 — above average among Nebraska public school districts. 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 (2021–22 school year). 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.
Northwest Public Schools earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Nebraska. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 68872
Children in zip code 68872 are assigned to Northwest Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 68872, 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 Northwest Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. 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 Saint Libory
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Northwest Public Schools serves zip code 68872, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 68872. 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 Northwest 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 68872.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Northwest Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 68872 data.