Cherry County Schools & Education
Cherry County, Nebraska
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
76/100
Higher = better
Rating
High Performing
Graduation Rate
91.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.9%
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,352
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,521
School Score
76/100
Higher = better
State avg 64/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#17
of 93 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Cherry County
School Verdict
Cherry County is a high-performing district with a school score of 76/100 and a graduation rate of 91.2%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.
Funding Context
Cherry County spends $11,352 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Cherry County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 19% above the Nebraska average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 4.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Cherry County, Nebraska
A Wide-Ranging District with Eight Schools
Cherry County operates eight public schools across two districts, serving 781 students in the heart of the Sandhills. The network includes four elementary, two middle, and two high schools.
High Graduation and Strong State Scores
Cherry County's 91.2% graduation rate is significantly higher than the national 87.0% average. The county's school score of 63.6 and per-pupil spending of $11,352 indicate a strong commitment to quality education.
Valentine Community Schools Dominates
Valentine Community Schools is the primary district, managing 623 students across five schools. The remaining students attend Cody-Kilgore Public Schools, and there are zero charter schools in the region.
A Mix of Town and Sandhills Rural
Schools are split between five rural and three town-based locales, with an average size of just 98 students. Valentine Elementary is the largest at 279 students, while Cody-Kilgore High School offers an extremely small environment for 51 students.
Quality Education in a Vast Landscape
With graduation rates exceeding 91%, Cherry County is a great choice for families who want high academic standards in a rural setting. Look for homes in the Valentine area to be close to the county's largest and most diverse schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
8
in Cherry County
Total Enrollment
781
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Cherry County
VALENTINE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
CODY-KILGORE PUBLIC SCHS
8 Public Schools in Cherry County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALENTINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | VALENTINE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | PK–4 | Primary | 279 |
| VALENTINE HIGH SCHOOL | VALENTINE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 164 |
| VALENTINE MIDDLE SCHOOL | VALENTINE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | 5–8 | Middle | 160 |
| CODY-KILGORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CODY-KILGORE PUBLIC SCHS | PK–5 | Primary | 72 |
| CODY-KILGORE HIGH SCHOOL | CODY-KILGORE PUBLIC SCHS | 9–12 | High | 51 |
| CODY-KILGORE MIDDLE SCHOOL | CODY-KILGORE PUBLIC SCHS | 6–8 | Middle | 35 |
| SIMEON SCHOOL | VALENTINE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | PK–8 | Primary | 16 |
| CUTCOMB LAKE SCHOOL | VALENTINE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | PK–8 | Primary | 4 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$11,352
State avg $10,521
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Cherry County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Cherry County?
How much does Cherry County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Cherry County, Nebraska — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Cherry County, Nebraska?
Cherry County operates eight public schools across two districts, serving 781 students in the heart of the Sandhills. The network includes four elementary, two middle, and two high schools.
How do schools in Cherry County perform academically?
Cherry County's 91.2% graduation rate is significantly higher than the national 87.0% average. The county's school score of 63.6 and per-pupil spending of $11,352 indicate a strong commitment to quality education.
What are the major school districts in Cherry County, Nebraska?
Valentine Community Schools is the primary district, managing 623 students across five schools. The remaining students attend Cody-Kilgore Public Schools, and there are zero charter schools in the region.
What is the school experience like in Cherry County?
Schools are split between five rural and three town-based locales, with an average size of just 98 students. Valentine Elementary is the largest at 279 students, while Cody-Kilgore High School offers an extremely small environment for 51 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Cherry County, Nebraska?
With graduation rates exceeding 91%, Cherry County is a great choice for families who want high academic standards in a rural setting. Look for homes in the Valentine area to be close to the county's largest and most diverse schools.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.