For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 4,588 students in Dakota County, NE (there are 1 private school, serving 180 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Dakota County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Dakota County, NE are Homer Elementary School, Homer High School and Emerson-hubbard Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dakota County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Dakota County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Dakota County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Homer Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
212 S 3rd
Homer, NE 68030
(402) 698-2377
Homer, NE 68030
(402) 698-2377
Gr: PK-6 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #22.
Homer High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
212 S 3rd
Homer, NE 68030
(402) 698-2377
Homer, NE 68030
(402) 698-2377
Gr: 7-12 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Emerson-hubbard Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
109 W Third St
Emerson, NE 68733
(402) 695-2654
Emerson, NE 68733
(402) 695-2654
Gr: PK-5 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #44.
Emerson-hubbard High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1503 Dakota St
Emerson, NE 68733
(402) 695-2636
Emerson, NE 68733
(402) 695-2636
Gr: 9-12 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #55.
Dakota City Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1801 Locust St
Dakota City, NE 68731
(402) 987-3363
Dakota City, NE 68731
(402) 987-3363
Gr: PK-5 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #66.
Harney Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1001 Arbor Drive
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1446
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1446
Gr: PK-5 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #77.
Cardinal Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
820 E 29th Street
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1662
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1662
Gr: PK-5 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #88.
Emerson-hubbard Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1503 Dakota St
Emerson, NE 68733
(402) 695-2636
Emerson, NE 68733
(402) 695-2636
Gr: 6-8 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #99.
Lewis & Clark Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 2nd Ave
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1917
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-1917
Gr: PK-5 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1010.
South Sioux City Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3625 G Street
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-3061
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-3061
Gr: 6-8 | 781 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1111.
South Sioux High School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3301 G St
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-2433
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-2433
Gr: 9-12 | 1,193 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1212.
Covington Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2116 A Street
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-4238
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-4238
Gr: PK-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: n/an/a
2300 C St
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-3501
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-3501
Gr: PK | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: n/an/a
223 N John St
Jackson, NE 68743
(402) 632-4276
Jackson, NE 68743
(402) 632-4276
Gr: PK-2 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Dakota County, NE?
The top-ranked public schools in Dakota County, NE include Homer Elementary School, Homer High School and Emerson-hubbard Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Dakota County?
14 public schools are located in Dakota County.
What percentage of students in Dakota County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Dakota County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dakota County?
Dakota County public schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Dakota County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Dakota County include: Cardinal Elementary School vs. Dakota City Elementary School, Dakota City Elementary School vs. Cardinal Elementary School, Homer Elementary School vs. Cardinal Elementary School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.