Dawson County Schools & Education
Dawson County, Nebraska
School Score
75/100
Higher = better
Rating
High Performing
Graduation Rate
92.7%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
92.7%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.9%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,847
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,521
School Score
75/100
Higher = better
State avg 64/100
State School Rank
#21
of 93 counties (1 = best)
Explore Dawson County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in Dawson County, Nebraska
A Comprehensive School Network in Dawson
Dawson County manages an extensive system of 19 public schools across five districts, serving 5,516 students. The landscape includes eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and five high schools, plus four specialized facilities. This makes it one of the most significant educational hubs in its part of the state.
High Graduation Rates and Efficient Operations
Dawson County achieves an impressive 92.7% graduation rate, significantly outpacing the Nebraska average of 86.9%. Despite a lower per-pupil expenditure of $8,847, the school score of 58.9 remains nearly identical to the state average. This indicates a highly efficient use of resources to produce strong academic outcomes for a large student body.
Lexington Public Schools Powers the County
Lexington Public Schools is the largest district, educating 3,221 students across eight different schools. Cozad Community Schools and Gothenburg Public Schools also serve significant populations of 949 and 847 students, respectively. No charter schools operate in the county, leaving traditional public districts as the sole providers of education.
Town-Based Learning with Large High Schools
Thirteen of the county’s schools are located in town settings, supporting an average school size of 306 students. Lexington High School is the largest campus with 913 students, followed by Lexington Middle School with 685. This gives the county a more urban educational feel compared to the surrounding rural Nebraska counties.
Strong Academic Results for Your Family
With its high graduation rates and diverse school districts, Dawson County is an excellent choice for relocating families. The strong performance of districts like Lexington and Gothenburg makes the area a secure bet for educational quality. Explore homes in these thriving towns to take advantage of the county's successful school systems.
School Overview
Total Schools
19
in Dawson County
Total Enrollment
5,516
students
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Type Breakdown
5 School Districts in Dawson County
LEXINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
COZAD COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
GOTHENBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS
OVERTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SUMNER-EDDYVILLE-MILLER SCHS
19 Public Schools in Dawson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL | LEXINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 913 |
| LEXINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL | LEXINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 685 |
| COZAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | COZAD COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 428 |
| DUDLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | GOTHENBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 422 |
| GOTHENBURG SECONDARY SCHOOL | GOTHENBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 389 |
| BRYAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LEXINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 383 |
| MORTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LEXINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–1 | Primary | 360 |
| PERSHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LEXINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 4–5 | Primary | 317 |
| SANDOZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LEXINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 2–3 | Primary | 296 |
| EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY | LEXINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK | Other | 267 |
| COZAD HIGH SCHOOL | COZAD COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 260 |
| COZAD MIDDLE SCHOOL | COZAD COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 197 |
| OVERTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | OVERTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 164 |
| ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT SUMNER | SUMNER-EDDYVILLE-MILLER SCHS | PK–7 | Primary | 115 |
| OVERTON HIGH SCHOOL | OVERTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 113 |
| JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH AT SUMNER | SUMNER-EDDYVILLE-MILLER SCHS | 7–12 | High | 107 |
| COZAD EARLY EDUCATION CENTER | COZAD COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | PK | Other | 64 |
| SWEDE PRESCHOOL ACADEMY | GOTHENBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK | Other | 36 |
| EARLY INTERVENTION/HOMEBOUND | LEXINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK | Special Education | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,847
State avg $10,521
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Dawson County, Nebraska — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Dawson County, Nebraska?
Dawson County manages an extensive system of 19 public schools across five districts, serving 5,516 students. The landscape includes eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and five high schools, plus four specialized facilities. This makes it one of the most significant educational hubs in its part of the state.
How do schools in Dawson County perform academically?
Dawson County achieves an impressive 92.7% graduation rate, significantly outpacing the Nebraska average of 86.9%. Despite a lower per-pupil expenditure of $8,847, the school score of 58.9 remains nearly identical to the state average. This indicates a highly efficient use of resources to produce strong academic outcomes for a large student body.
What are the major school districts in Dawson County, Nebraska?
Lexington Public Schools is the largest district, educating 3,221 students across eight different schools. Cozad Community Schools and Gothenburg Public Schools also serve significant populations of 949 and 847 students, respectively. No charter schools operate in the county, leaving traditional public districts as the sole providers of education.
What is the school experience like in Dawson County?
Thirteen of the county’s schools are located in town settings, supporting an average school size of 306 students. Lexington High School is the largest campus with 913 students, followed by Lexington Middle School with 685. This gives the county a more urban educational feel compared to the surrounding rural Nebraska counties.
How can I find homes near good schools in Dawson County, Nebraska?
With its high graduation rates and diverse school districts, Dawson County is an excellent choice for relocating families. The strong performance of districts like Lexington and Gothenburg makes the area a secure bet for educational quality. Explore homes in these thriving towns to take advantage of the county's successful school systems.
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.