Kearney County Schools & Education
Kearney County, Nebraska
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
69/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
91.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.9%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,173
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,521
School Score
69/100
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
#38
of 93 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Kearney County
School Verdict
Kearney County performs at an average level with a school score of 69/100 and a solid graduation rate of 91.0%.
Funding Context
Kearney County spends $9,173 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 Kearney County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 7% above the Nebraska average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 4.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 13% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Kearney County, Nebraska
Diverse School Mix in Kearney County
Kearney County supports 1,331 students through 7 public schools organized into 3 distinct districts. The infrastructure is well-balanced with 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools serving the growing student body.
High Success Rates with Efficient Spending
The county boasts a 91.0% graduation rate, significantly outperforming the national average of 87.0%. Educators achieve these results with a per-pupil expenditure of $9,173, which is considerably lower than the state average of $10,521 and the national average of $13,000.
Minden Public Schools Drives Enrollment
Minden Public Schools is the largest district, educating 820 students across 3 schools, while Axtell Community Schools serves another 335 students. No charter schools operate in the county, as traditional public districts manage 100% of the student population.
Balancing Town and Rural Environments
The county features a mix of 3 town-based schools and 4 rural locations, with an average school size of 190 students. C L Jones Middle School is the largest facility with 324 students, while Axtell High School provides a smaller high school experience for 135 students.
Relocate Near Top-Performing Schools
The high graduation rates in Minden and Axtell make Kearney County an attractive destination for families prioritizing education. Consider local real estate near these districts to secure a home in a community that consistently delivers academic results.
School Overview
Total Schools
7
in Kearney County
Total Enrollment
1,331
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 Kearney County
MINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
AXTELL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
WILCOX-HILDRETH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
7 Public Schools in Kearney County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C L JONES MIDDLE SCHOOL | MINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 4–8 | Middle | 324 |
| MINDEN HIGH SCHOOL | MINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 264 |
| MINDEN EAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–3 | Primary | 232 |
| AXTELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | AXTELL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 200 |
| AXTELL HIGH SCHOOL | AXTELL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 135 |
| WILCOX-HILDRETH JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL | WILCOX-HILDRETH PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 98 |
| WILCOX-HILDRETH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WILCOX-HILDRETH PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–2 | Primary | 78 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,173
State avg $10,521
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Kearney County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Kearney County?
How much does Kearney County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Kearney County, Nebraska — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Kearney County, Nebraska?
Kearney County supports 1,331 students through 7 public schools organized into 3 distinct districts. The infrastructure is well-balanced with 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools serving the growing student body.
How do schools in Kearney County perform academically?
The county boasts a 91.0% graduation rate, significantly outperforming the national average of 87.0%. Educators achieve these results with a per-pupil expenditure of $9,173, which is considerably lower than the state average of $10,521 and the national average of $13,000.
What are the major school districts in Kearney County, Nebraska?
Minden Public Schools is the largest district, educating 820 students across 3 schools, while Axtell Community Schools serves another 335 students. No charter schools operate in the county, as traditional public districts manage 100% of the student population.
What is the school experience like in Kearney County?
The county features a mix of 3 town-based schools and 4 rural locations, with an average school size of 190 students. C L Jones Middle School is the largest facility with 324 students, while Axtell High School provides a smaller high school experience for 135 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Kearney County, Nebraska?
The high graduation rates in Minden and Axtell make Kearney County an attractive destination for families prioritizing education. Consider local real estate near these districts to secure a home in a community that consistently delivers academic results.
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.