For the 2025 school year, there are 70 blue ribbon public schools serving 20,439 students in Nebraska.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top ranked blue ribbon public schools in Nebraska are Upchurch Elementary School, Reeder Elementary School and Elkhorn Grandview Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Nebraska blue ribbon public schools have an average math proficiency score of 69% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in Nebraska (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Upchurch Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
8686 S 165th St
Omaha, NE 68136
(402) 715-7150
Omaha, NE 68136
(402) 715-7150
Gr: PK-5 | 396 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Reeder Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
19202 Chandler St
Gretna, NE 68028
(402) 715-6420
Gretna, NE 68028
(402) 715-6420
Gr: PK-5 | 533 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Elkhorn Grandview Middle School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
17801 Grand Avenue
Omaha, NE 68116
(402) 289-9399
Omaha, NE 68116
(402) 289-9399
Gr: 6-8 | 514 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #44.
Pender Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
609 Whitney St
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3244
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3244
Gr: PK-6 | 239 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #55.
Elementary School At Johnson
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
310 Main St
Johnson, NE 68378
(402) 868-5235
Johnson, NE 68378
(402) 868-5235
Gr: PK-6 | 189 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
North Bend Central Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
420 E 11th St
North Bend, NE 68649
(402) 652-8122
North Bend, NE 68649
(402) 652-8122
Gr: PK-5 | 279 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Sagewood Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4910 N 177th St
Omaha, NE 68116
(402) 289-9078
Omaha, NE 68116
(402) 289-9078
Gr: PK-5 | 442 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #88.
West Point Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1200 East Washington
West Point, NE 68788
(402) 372-5507
West Point, NE 68788
(402) 372-5507
Gr: PK-4 | 320 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #99.
Columbian Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
330 S 127th St
Omaha, NE 68154
(531) 299-1240
Omaha, NE 68154
(531) 299-1240
Gr: PK-5 | 270 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1010.
Carl A Swanson Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
8601 Harney Street
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 390-6485
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 390-6485
Gr: PK-6 | 289 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1111.
Lux Middle School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7800 High St
Lincoln, NE 68506
(402) 436-1220
Lincoln, NE 68506
(402) 436-1220
Gr: 6-8 | 808 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1212.
Rousseau Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3701 S 33rd St
Lincoln, NE 68506
(402) 436-1165
Lincoln, NE 68506
(402) 436-1165
Gr: PK-5 | 558 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1313.
Standing Bear Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
15860 Taylor Street
Omaha, NE 68116
(531) 299-2140
Omaha, NE 68116
(531) 299-2140
Gr: PK-5 | 639 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1414.
Pyrtle Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
721 Cottonwood Dr
Lincoln, NE 68510
(402) 436-1162
Lincoln, NE 68510
(402) 436-1162
Gr: PK-5 | 450 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1515.
Humann Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6720 Rockwood Ln
Lincoln, NE 68516
(402) 436-1145
Lincoln, NE 68516
(402) 436-1145
Gr: PK-5 | 507 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1616.
Elkhorn Middle School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3200 N 207th Plaza
Elkhorn, NE 68022
(402) 289-2428
Elkhorn, NE 68022
(402) 289-2428
Gr: 6-8 | 638 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #17 - 1917. - 19.
Crofton Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1301 W 5th St
Crofton, NE 68730
(402) 388-4357
Crofton, NE 68730
(402) 388-4357
Gr: PK-6 | 187 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #17 - 1917. - 19.
Hitchcock Co Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
712 Arizona
Culbertson, NE 69024
(308) 278-2131
Culbertson, NE 69024
(308) 278-2131
Gr: PK-6 | 173 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #17 - 1917. - 19.
Mc Cook Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1500 W 3rd St
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5681
Mc Cook, NE 69001
(308) 345-5681
Gr: PK-3 | 438 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
David City Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
826 E St
David City, NE 68632
(402) 367-3779
David City, NE 68632
(402) 367-3779
Gr: PK-6 | 292 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Valentine Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
615 E 5th St
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3237
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3237
Gr: PK-4 | 287 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Wisner-pilger Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
801 18th St
Wisner, NE 68791
(402) 529-6465
Wisner, NE 68791
(402) 529-6465
Gr: PK-6 | 272 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Fullerton Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
606 4th St
Fullerton, NE 68638
(308) 536-2431
Fullerton, NE 68638
(308) 536-2431
Gr: PK-6 | 164 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Osceola Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
341 S Kimmel
Osceola, NE 68651
(402) 747-2091
Osceola, NE 68651
(402) 747-2091
Gr: PK-5 | 116 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2525.
Mitchell Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1439 13th Ave
Mitchell, NE 69357
(308) 623-2828
Mitchell, NE 69357
(308) 623-2828
Gr: PK-6 | 346 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #2626.
Calvert Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2103 O Street
Auburn, NE 68305
(402) 274-4129
Auburn, NE 68305
(402) 274-4129
Gr: PK-5 | 512 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #2727.
Stapleton Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
702 6th Street
Stapleton, NE 69163
(308) 636-2252
Stapleton, NE 69163
(308) 636-2252
Gr: PK-6 | 93 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #2828.
Potter-dix Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
304 Horrum St
Dix, NE 69133
(308) 682-5226
Dix, NE 69133
(308) 682-5226
Gr: PK-6 | 85 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #2929.
Auburn Middle School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1829 Central Ave
Auburn, NE 68305
(402) 274-4328
Auburn, NE 68305
(402) 274-4328
Gr: 6-8 | 191 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #3030.
Fort Calhoun Jr-sr High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5876 County Road P43
Fort Calhoun, NE 68023
(402) 468-5591
Fort Calhoun, NE 68023
(402) 468-5591
Gr: 7-12 | 383 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #3131.
Alma Elementary At Alma
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
515 Jewell St
Alma, NE 68920
(308) 928-2131
Alma, NE 68920
(308) 928-2131
Gr: PK-6 | 199 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #3232.
Burwell Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
204 S 4th
Burwell, NE 68823
(308) 346-4431
Burwell, NE 68823
(308) 346-4431
Gr: PK-6 | 168 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #3333.
Dundee Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
310 N 51st Street
Omaha, NE 68132
(531) 299-1340
Omaha, NE 68132
(531) 299-1340
Gr: PK-6 | 495 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #3434.
Stuart Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
404 E 2nd
Stuart, NE 68780
(402) 924-3302
Stuart, NE 68780
(402) 924-3302
Gr: PK-6 | 122 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #35 - 3635. - 36.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1205 S 2nd St
Norfolk, NE 68702
(402) 644-2557
Norfolk, NE 68702
(402) 644-2557
Gr: PK-4 | 233 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Show 35 more public schools in Nebraska (out of 70 total schools)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public schools in Nebraska?
The top ranked blue ribbon public schools in Nebraska include Upchurch Elementary School, Reeder Elementary School and Elkhorn Grandview Middle School.
How many blue ribbon public schools are located in Nebraska?
70 blue ribbon public schools are located in Nebraska.
What is the racial composition of students in Nebraska?
Nebraska blue ribbon public schools minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.

Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.

What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.