Jefferson County Schools & Education
Jefferson County, Nebraska
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
57/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
86.7%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.7%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.9%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,651
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,521
School Score
57/100
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
#59
of 93 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Jefferson County
School Verdict
Jefferson County performs at an average level with a school score of 57/100 and a solid graduation rate of 86.7%.
Funding Context
Jefferson County spends $9,651 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 Jefferson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 10% below the Nebraska average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Jefferson County, Nebraska
A Well-Rounded System of Eight Schools
Jefferson County supports 1,700 students through eight public schools managed by three different districts. The landscape includes five elementary schools and three high schools, offering a range of educational environments. This structure ensures that both younger children and secondary students have specialized facilities tailored to their needs.
Stable Performance and Competitive Scores
The county's 86.7% graduation rate aligns closely with state and national averages. Education is funded at $9,651 per pupil, which stays under the Nebraska average while still supporting a solid school score of 57.5. These numbers represent a stable, well-managed system that provides consistent quality for local families.
Fairbury Public Schools Serves the Majority
Fairbury Public Schools is the county's largest district, managing three schools and a total of 909 students. Tri County Public Schools also plays a vital role, serving 430 students across its two campuses. No charter schools exist in the county, maintaining a 100% enrollment rate within traditional public districts.
Diverse Sizes in Rural and Town Locales
The county features six rural schools and two town-based schools, providing parents with a choice of settings. Fairbury Jr-Sr High is the largest facility with 377 students, while the average size across all schools is 213. This mix of school sizes allows for both a lively high school experience and smaller, intimate elementary classrooms.
Investing in Your Child's Future
Jefferson County offers a reliable educational path with a variety of school sizes and locations. The steady graduation rates and diverse district options make it a smart choice for home buyers with children. Consider properties in Fairbury to stay close to the county's largest and most resource-rich educational centers.
School Overview
Total Schools
8
in Jefferson County
Total Enrollment
1,700
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Jefferson County
FAIRBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
TRI COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MERIDIAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
8 Public Schools in Jefferson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAIRBURY JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL | FAIRBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 377 |
| JEFFERSON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL | FAIRBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 3–6 | Primary | 270 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | FAIRBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–2 | Primary | 262 |
| TRI COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | TRI COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 238 |
| TRI COUNTY JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL | TRI COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 192 |
| DILLER-ODELL ELEM SCHOOL | DILLER-ODELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 137 |
| MERIDIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MERIDIAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 122 |
| MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL | MERIDIAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 102 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,651
State avg $10,521
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Jefferson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Jefferson County?
How much does Jefferson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Jefferson County, Nebraska — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Jefferson County, Nebraska?
Jefferson County supports 1,700 students through eight public schools managed by three different districts. The landscape includes five elementary schools and three high schools, offering a range of educational environments. This structure ensures that both younger children and secondary students have specialized facilities tailored to their needs.
How do schools in Jefferson County perform academically?
The county's 86.7% graduation rate aligns closely with state and national averages. Education is funded at $9,651 per pupil, which stays under the Nebraska average while still supporting a solid school score of 57.5. These numbers represent a stable, well-managed system that provides consistent quality for local families.
What are the major school districts in Jefferson County, Nebraska?
Fairbury Public Schools is the county's largest district, managing three schools and a total of 909 students. Tri County Public Schools also plays a vital role, serving 430 students across its two campuses. No charter schools exist in the county, maintaining a 100% enrollment rate within traditional public districts.
What is the school experience like in Jefferson County?
The county features six rural schools and two town-based schools, providing parents with a choice of settings. Fairbury Jr-Sr High is the largest facility with 377 students, while the average size across all schools is 213. This mix of school sizes allows for both a lively high school experience and smaller, intimate elementary classrooms.
How can I find homes near good schools in Jefferson County, Nebraska?
Jefferson County offers a reliable educational path with a variety of school sizes and locations. The steady graduation rates and diverse district options make it a smart choice for home buyers with children. Consider properties in Fairbury to stay close to the county's largest and most resource-rich educational centers.
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.