Johnson County Schools & Education
Johnson County, Nebraska
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
68/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
89.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.9%
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,359
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,521
School Score
68/100
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
#39
of 93 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Johnson County
School Verdict
Johnson County performs at an average level with a school score of 68/100 and a solid graduation rate of 89.4%.
Funding Context
Johnson County spends $10,359 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 Johnson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 6% above the Nebraska average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Johnson County, Nebraska
Small-Town Learning Infrastructure
Johnson County manages a focused education network with 6 total public schools serving 721 students across 2 districts. The landscape includes 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools, providing a complete K-12 pipeline for the local community.
Strong Graduation Rates on a Lean Budget
The county achieves an impressive 89.4% graduation rate, which exceeds both the Nebraska average of 86.9% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. While per-pupil spending of $10,359 sits just below the state average, the county's school score of 60.5 remains higher than the state median.
Johnson County Central Leads Enrollment
Johnson County Central Public Schools serves as the primary provider, enrolling 497 students across 4 different schools. Sterling Public Schools manages the remaining 224 students, and there are currently no charter schools operating within the county.
A Purely Rural Educational Setting
Every school in the county operates in a rural setting, maintaining an intimate average school size of 120 students. Johnson County Central High School is the largest campus with 153 students, while Sterling High School offers a very personalized environment with just 89 students.
Find Your Home in a Supportive District
Families looking for high graduation rates and small class sizes should explore housing options in Tecumseh or Sterling. School quality remains a vital factor in local property values, making these rural districts a smart choice for long-term investment.
School Overview
Total Schools
6
in Johnson County
Total Enrollment
721
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 Johnson County
JOHNSON CO CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHS
STERLING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
6 Public Schools in Johnson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHNSON CO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | JOHNSON CO CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHS | 9–12 | High | 153 |
| JOHNSON CO CENTRAL EL-TECUMSEH | JOHNSON CO CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHS | PK–3 | Primary | 146 |
| STERLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | STERLING PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 135 |
| JOHNSON CO CENTRAL MIDDLE SCH | JOHNSON CO CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHS | 6–8 | Middle | 119 |
| STERLING HIGH SCHOOL | STERLING PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 89 |
| JOHNSON CO CENTRAL ELEM-COOK | JOHNSON CO CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHS | PK–5 | Primary | 79 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$10,359
State avg $10,521
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Johnson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Johnson County?
How much does Johnson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Johnson County, Nebraska — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Johnson County, Nebraska?
Johnson County manages a focused education network with 6 total public schools serving 721 students across 2 districts. The landscape includes 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools, providing a complete K-12 pipeline for the local community.
How do schools in Johnson County perform academically?
The county achieves an impressive 89.4% graduation rate, which exceeds both the Nebraska average of 86.9% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. While per-pupil spending of $10,359 sits just below the state average, the county's school score of 60.5 remains higher than the state median.
What are the major school districts in Johnson County, Nebraska?
Johnson County Central Public Schools serves as the primary provider, enrolling 497 students across 4 different schools. Sterling Public Schools manages the remaining 224 students, and there are currently no charter schools operating within the county.
What is the school experience like in Johnson County?
Every school in the county operates in a rural setting, maintaining an intimate average school size of 120 students. Johnson County Central High School is the largest campus with 153 students, while Sterling High School offers a very personalized environment with just 89 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Johnson County, Nebraska?
Families looking for high graduation rates and small class sizes should explore housing options in Tecumseh or Sterling. School quality remains a vital factor in local property values, making these rural districts a smart choice for long-term investment.
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.