Polk County Schools & Education
Polk County, Nebraska
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
59/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
85.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
85.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.9%
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,716
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,521
School Score
59/100
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
#57
of 93 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Polk County
School Verdict
Polk County performs at an average level with a school score of 59/100 and a solid graduation rate of 85.8%.
Funding Context
Polk County spends $10,716 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 Polk County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 8% below the Nebraska average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Polk County, Nebraska
Ten Schools Across Four Active Districts
Polk County operates 10 public schools that serve a total of 1,124 students. The county’s infrastructure is evenly distributed with three elementary, three middle, and four high schools.
Strong Per-Pupil Investment
The county spends $10,716 per pupil, which is higher than the Nebraska state average of $10,521. While the graduation rate of 85.8% is slightly below the state average, the high funding level demonstrates a commitment to student success.
Shelby - Rising City Leads Enrollment
Shelby - Rising City Public Schools is the largest district with 411 students, followed closely by Cross County Community Schools with 367 students. No charter schools operate within the county boundaries.
A Purely Rural Learning Experience
Every school in Polk County is located in a rural setting, offering a classic small-town education with an average of 112 students per school. Shelby - Rising City Elementary is the largest campus with 212 students.
Find Your Community in Polk County
With small school sizes and dedicated funding, Polk County is ideal for families seeking a personalized educational path. Explore local homes today to find your place in one of these four community-focused districts.
School Overview
Total Schools
10
in Polk County
Total Enrollment
1,124
students
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
4 School Districts in Polk County
SHELBY - RISING CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CROSS COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
OSCEOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
HIGH PLAINS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
10 Public Schools in Polk County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHELBY - RISING CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | SHELBY - RISING CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 212 |
| CROSS COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CROSS COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 169 |
| CROSS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL | CROSS COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 123 |
| OSCEOLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | OSCEOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 119 |
| SHELBY - RISING CITY HIGH SCHOOL | SHELBY - RISING CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 110 |
| HIGH PLAINS COMMUNITY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL | HIGH PLAINS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 102 |
| SHELBY - RISING CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL | SHELBY - RISING CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 89 |
| CROSS COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL | CROSS COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 75 |
| OSCEOLA HIGH SCHOOL | OSCEOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 68 |
| OSCEOLA MIDDLE SCHOOL | OSCEOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 57 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$10,716
State avg $10,521
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Polk County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Polk County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Polk County?
How much does Polk County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Polk County, Nebraska — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Polk County, Nebraska?
Polk County operates 10 public schools that serve a total of 1,124 students. The county’s infrastructure is evenly distributed with three elementary, three middle, and four high schools.
How do schools in Polk County perform academically?
The county spends $10,716 per pupil, which is higher than the Nebraska state average of $10,521. While the graduation rate of 85.8% is slightly below the state average, the high funding level demonstrates a commitment to student success.
What are the major school districts in Polk County, Nebraska?
Shelby - Rising City Public Schools is the largest district with 411 students, followed closely by Cross County Community Schools with 367 students. No charter schools operate within the county boundaries.
What is the school experience like in Polk County?
Every school in Polk County is located in a rural setting, offering a classic small-town education with an average of 112 students per school. Shelby - Rising City Elementary is the largest campus with 212 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Polk County, Nebraska?
With small school sizes and dedicated funding, Polk County is ideal for families seeking a personalized educational path. Explore local homes today to find your place in one of these four community-focused districts.
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.