Lancaster County Schools & Education
Lancaster County, Nebraska
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
37/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
81.5%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
81.5%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.9%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,884
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,521
School Score
37/100
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
#93
of 93 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Lancaster County
School Verdict
Lancaster County faces educational challenges with a school score of 37/100 and a graduation rate of 81.5%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,884 per pupil, Lancaster County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Lancaster County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 42% below the Nebraska average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 5.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 25% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Lancaster County, Nebraska
Nebraska's Major Urban Education Hub
Lancaster County is home to a massive educational infrastructure with 95 public schools serving nearly 48,000 students across 9 districts. This diverse system includes 47 elementary schools, 17 middle schools, 24 high schools, and 12 alternative education centers.
Managing Scale on a Tight Budget
The county faces challenges with an 81.5% graduation rate, which falls below the state average of 86.9%. School districts here operate on $7,884 per pupil, a figure significantly lower than both the state average and the $13,000 national benchmark.
Lincoln Public Schools Dominates the Region
Lincoln Public Schools is the primary district, managing 76 schools and 41,850 students. While there are no charter schools, the county offers 12 alternative schools and 3 special education facilities to meet varied student needs.
A Bustling City School Experience
With 75 schools located in the city, the average campus size is 599 students, though many high schools are much larger. Lincoln East High is the largest with 2,268 students, offering an urban experience vastly different from the county's 18 rural schools.
Diverse Living Near Lincoln Schools
Whether you want a large urban high school or a smaller rural elementary, Lancaster County offers more options than anywhere else in the state. Researching specific neighborhood schools is a critical step for families buying in the Lincoln metro area.
School Overview
Total Schools
95
in Lancaster County
Total Enrollment
47,895
students
School Districts
9
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
9 School Districts in Lancaster County
LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NORRIS SCHOOL DIST 160
PALMYRA DISTRICT O R 1
MALCOLM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA HIGH SCHOOL
MORTON SCHOOL
PATHFINDER ED PRG-LANCASTER CO
CHILD GUIDANCE SCHOOL
NEBRASKA YOUTH ACADEMY
95 Public Schools in Lancaster County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LINCOLN EAST HIGH SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 2,268 |
| LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 2,196 |
| SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 2,171 |
| NORTH STAR HIGH SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 2,072 |
| LINCOLN SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 1,929 |
| LINCOLN NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 1,812 |
| SCOTT MIDDLE SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 1,136 |
| SCHOO MIDDLE SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 917 |
| IRVING MIDDLE SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 890 |
| KOOSER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 889 |
| GOODRICH MIDDLE SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 877 |
| ROPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 863 |
| PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 834 |
| BELMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 814 |
| LUX MIDDLE SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 791 |
| ADAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 762 |
| NORRIS HIGH SCHOOL | NORRIS SCHOOL DIST 160 | 9–12 | High | 757 |
| ARNOLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 739 |
| MOORE MIDDLE SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 738 |
| POUND MIDDLE SCHOOL | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 727 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,884
State avg $10,521
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Lancaster County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Lancaster County?
How much does Lancaster County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Lancaster County, Nebraska — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Lancaster County, Nebraska?
Lancaster County is home to a massive educational infrastructure with 95 public schools serving nearly 48,000 students across 9 districts. This diverse system includes 47 elementary schools, 17 middle schools, 24 high schools, and 12 alternative education centers.
How do schools in Lancaster County perform academically?
The county faces challenges with an 81.5% graduation rate, which falls below the state average of 86.9%. School districts here operate on $7,884 per pupil, a figure significantly lower than both the state average and the $13,000 national benchmark.
What are the major school districts in Lancaster County, Nebraska?
Lincoln Public Schools is the primary district, managing 76 schools and 41,850 students. While there are no charter schools, the county offers 12 alternative schools and 3 special education facilities to meet varied student needs.
What is the school experience like in Lancaster County?
With 75 schools located in the city, the average campus size is 599 students, though many high schools are much larger. Lincoln East High is the largest with 2,268 students, offering an urban experience vastly different from the county's 18 rural schools.
How can I find homes near good schools in Lancaster County, Nebraska?
Whether you want a large urban high school or a smaller rural elementary, Lancaster County offers more options than anywhere else in the state. Researching specific neighborhood schools is a critical step for families buying in the Lincoln metro area.
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.