For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 1,176 students in Dawes County, NE (there are , serving 42 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Dawes County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top-ranked public schools in Dawes County, NE are Chadron Senior High School, Chadron Middle School and Crawford High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dawes County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Dawes County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Dawes County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Chadron Senior High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
901 Cedar
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-0707
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-0707
Gr: 9-12 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #22.
Chadron Middle School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
551 E 6th St
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-0708
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-0708
Gr: 5-8 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #33.
Crawford High School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
908 5th St
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-1531
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-1531
Gr: 7-12 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #44.
Crawford Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
908 5th St
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-1928
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-1928
Gr: PK-6 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #55.
Pine Ridge Job Corps
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
15710 Hwy 385
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-8650
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-8650
Gr: 10-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #66.
Chadron Intermediate
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
450 W Norfolk
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-0717
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-0717
Gr: 3-4 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: n/an/a
732 Ann St
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-0710
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-0710
Gr: PK-2 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Dawes County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
60 Alpha Rd
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-3824
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-3824
Gr: PK-8 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
60 Alpha Rd
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-3824
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-3824
Gr: PK-8 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
31 Phelps St
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-2436
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-2436
Gr: PK-8 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
651 Corkscrew Rd
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-1862
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-1862
Gr: PK-8 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
360 W Belmont Rd
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-2278
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-2278
Gr: PK-8 | 3 students
91 Prairie Home Rd
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-5243
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-5243
Gr: PK-8 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
91 Prairie Home Rd
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-5243
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-5243
Gr: PK-8 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
1220 Table Center Rd
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-4314
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-4314
Gr: PK-8 | 5 students
5240 Hwy 20
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-3717
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-3717
Gr: PK-8 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
1950 Cottonwood Rd
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-2337
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-2337
Gr: PK-8 | 12 students
310 Elkhorn
Whitney, NE 69367
(308) 667-1734
Whitney, NE 69367
(308) 667-1734
Gr: PK-8 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
310 Elkhorn St
Whitney, NE 69367
(308) 667-1734
Whitney, NE 69367
(308) 667-1734
Gr: PK-8 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Dawes County, NE?
The top-ranked public schools in Dawes County, NE include Chadron Senior High School, Chadron Middle School and Crawford High School.
How many public schools are located in Dawes County?
7 public schools are located in Dawes County.
What percentage of students in Dawes County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Dawes County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dawes County?
Dawes County public schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Dawes County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Dawes County include: Crawford High School vs. Chadron Senior High School, Chadron Senior High School vs. Crawford High School
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