For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 5,185 students in Lincoln County, NE (there are 3 private schools, serving 448 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Lincoln County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lincoln County, NE are Mcdonald Elementary School, Lake Maloney Elementary School and Hershey 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 39% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Lincoln County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #22.
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 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
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 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #44.
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 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #55.
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 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #66.
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 | 164 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
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: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #88.
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 | 83 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #99.
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 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1010.
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 | 226 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1111.
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 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1212.
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 | 513 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1313.
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 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1414.
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 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #15 - 1715. - 17.
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 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #15 - 1715. - 17.
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 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #15 - 1715. - 17.
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 | 119 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1818.
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 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1919.
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 | 104 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #2020.
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 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2121.
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 | 1,145 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Lincoln County, NE?
The top-ranked public schools in Lincoln County, NE include Mcdonald Elementary School, Lake Maloney Elementary School and Hershey 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?
92% of all K-12 students in Lincoln County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 88%).
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 39% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Lincoln County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lincoln County include: North Platte High School vs. Hershey High School, Maxwell High School vs. Hershey High School, Sutherland High School vs. North Platte High School
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