For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public preschools serving 2,540 students in Lincoln County, NE.
The top-ranked public preschools 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 preschools have an average math proficiency score of 66% (versus the Nebraska public pre school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 50% statewide average). Pre schools in Lincoln County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public preschool average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools 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.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #11 - 1211. - 12.
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: #11 - 1211. - 12.
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: #1313.
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%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Lincoln County, NE?
The top-ranked public preschools in Lincoln County, NE include Mcdonald Elementary School, Lake Maloney Elementary School and Hershey Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Lincoln County?
14 public preschools are located in Lincoln County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lincoln County?
Lincoln County public preschools minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public preschools average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Lincoln County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Lincoln County include: Buffalo Early Learning Center vs. Washington Elementary School, Mcdonald Elementary School vs. Maxwell Elementary School, Maxwell Elementary School vs. Mcdonald 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.