Saline County Schools & Education
Saline County, Nebraska
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
46/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
84.6%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
84.6%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.9%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,269
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,521
School Score
46/100
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
#85
of 93 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Saline County
School Verdict
Saline County has average school quality (score: 46/100) with a graduation rate of 84.6%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Saline County spends $8,269 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 Saline County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 29% below the Nebraska average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 2.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 21% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Saline County, Nebraska
Broad School Network Across Four Districts
Saline County maintains 13 public schools that serve a growing population of 3,340 students. The network includes five elementary schools, five high schools, and two middle schools spread across four districts.
Meeting Challenges with Efficient Spending
Local schools operate on a per-pupil expenditure of $8,269, which is significantly lower than the $13,000 national benchmark. The current graduation rate stands at 84.6%, just below the Nebraska state average of 86.9%.
Crete Public Schools Leads Enrollment
Crete Public Schools is the largest district, educating 2,230 students across six schools. Other local options include Wilber-Clatonia and Friend Public Schools, though no charter schools currently operate in the county.
A Mix of Rural and Town Locales
Eight of the county's schools are located in rural areas, while five serve the more populated town centers. Crete High School is the largest campus with 690 students, offering a different social scale than the smaller rural buildings.
Locate Your Family in Saline County
With various districts and school sizes, Saline County provides several paths for student success. Research homes in the Crete or Wilber areas to find the best fit for your family's educational preferences.
School Overview
Total Schools
13
in Saline County
Total Enrollment
3,340
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 Saline County
CRETE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
WILBER-CLATONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
FRIEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DORCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL
13 Public Schools in Saline County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRETE HIGH SCHOOL | CRETE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 690 |
| CRETE MIDDLE SCHOOL | CRETE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 477 |
| CRETE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CRETE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–2 | Primary | 450 |
| CRETE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL | CRETE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 3–5 | Primary | 415 |
| ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT WILBER | WILBER-CLATONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 294 |
| CRETE PRESCHOOL | CRETE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK | Other | 198 |
| WILBER-CLATONIA HIGH SCHOOL | WILBER-CLATONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 187 |
| FRIEND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | FRIEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 147 |
| DORCHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | DORCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL | PK–6 | Primary | 144 |
| WILBER-CLATONIA MIDDLE SCHOOL | WILBER-CLATONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 143 |
| FRIEND HIGH SCHOOLS | FRIEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 104 |
| DORCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL | DORCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL | 7–12 | High | 91 |
| CRETE SUCCESS ACADEMY | CRETE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | Alternative | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,269
State avg $10,521
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Saline County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Saline County?
How much does Saline County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Saline County, Nebraska — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Saline County, Nebraska?
Saline County maintains 13 public schools that serve a growing population of 3,340 students. The network includes five elementary schools, five high schools, and two middle schools spread across four districts.
How do schools in Saline County perform academically?
Local schools operate on a per-pupil expenditure of $8,269, which is significantly lower than the $13,000 national benchmark. The current graduation rate stands at 84.6%, just below the Nebraska state average of 86.9%.
What are the major school districts in Saline County, Nebraska?
Crete Public Schools is the largest district, educating 2,230 students across six schools. Other local options include Wilber-Clatonia and Friend Public Schools, though no charter schools currently operate in the county.
What is the school experience like in Saline County?
Eight of the county's schools are located in rural areas, while five serve the more populated town centers. Crete High School is the largest campus with 690 students, offering a different social scale than the smaller rural buildings.
How can I find homes near good schools in Saline County, Nebraska?
With various districts and school sizes, Saline County provides several paths for student success. Research homes in the Crete or Wilber areas to find the best fit for your family's educational preferences.
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.