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Aerial view of the old Haymarket and West Haymarket, Lincoln, Nebraska, USAPhoto: Hanyou23 · CC BY-SA 4.0
C+
Schools in Lincoln · Lincoln Public Schools

Lincoln’s public schools score below 64% of Nebraska districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Lincoln, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Nebraska, not nationally.

#34of 57 Nebraska townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Nebraska state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
51%
▲ 4 pts vs NE 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
49%
▲ 3 pts vs NE 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
82%
▼ 5 pts vs NE 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.8K
▼ 5% vs NE $15.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.3
NE 13.8
Schools in town
87
42,301 students on the public path
In brief

Lincoln’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 468 Nebraska towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lincoln’s, its schools beat 30%, lower than their 36% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 51% and math 49% in spring 2022, against 47% and 46% statewide; 82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,781 per student, against $15,602 across Nebraska (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

40 elementary schools, then 12 middle and eight high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Pius X High School (private), St. Joseph School (private), North American Martyrs School (private), St. Michael Catholic School (private), Messiah Lutheran School (private), Lincoln Lutheran Middle/High School (private), St. John the Apostle Catholic School (private), St. Peter Catholic School (private), St. Teresa Elementary School (private), College View Academy (private), Parkview Christian Elementary (private), Christ Elementary School (private), Blessed Sacrament School (private), Trinity Lutheran Church & School (private), St. Mark Lutheran School (private), Faith Lutheran School (private), St. Mark Elementary School (private), Children's Circle Montessori (private), George Stone SDA Elementary (private) and Trinity Kindergarten Program (private) are in town. University of Nebraska High School, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Lincoln’s grade

B− Test scoresD Graduation

C+: better than 36% of Nebraska school districts, #34 of 57 Nebraska towns. Test scores are above the Nebraska average; graduation is below it.

Nebraska school districts we grade (244)Better than 36%
Lower resultsHigher results
Nebraska towns with similar household incomes (468)Better than 30%
CC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 21,053 test results and a graduating class of 3,175 could put Lincoln anywhere from C to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Lincoln’s students in the tested grades sat them (21,044 in math, 21,062 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lincoln, with each school’s own grade.

40 schools teach K in Lincoln’s district. Which one depends on your address. Their grades range from D to A+, so check the specific school.
Kooser Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
929 students15:1Rate it →
Roper Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
850 students15:1Rate it →
Belmont Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
773 students11:1Rate it →
Adams Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A+
767 students16:1Rate it →
Wysong Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
738 students17:1Rate it →
Maxey Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
674 students15:1Rate it →
Arnold Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
673 students13:1Rate it →
Campbell Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
669 students12:1Rate it →
Rousseau Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
587 students15:1Rate it →
Cavett Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
556 students15:1Rate it →
Meadow Lane Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
523 students12:1Rate it →
Kloefkorn Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A+
497 students16:1Rate it →
Humann Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
487 students14:1Rate it →
Prescott Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
485 students11:1Rate it →
Everett Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
480 students11:1Rate it →
West Lincoln Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
463 students12:1Rate it →
Clinton Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
457 students11:1Rate it →
Randolph Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B−
452 students12:1Rate it →
Pyrtle Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
449 students15:1Rate it →
Fredstrom Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
443 students15:1Rate it →
Kahoa Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
432 students15:1Rate it →
Pershing Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B−
421 students12:1Rate it →
Lakeview Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
418 students13:1Rate it →
Holmes Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
402 students14:1Rate it →
Hill Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
402 students14:1Rate it →
Robinson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
398 students13:1Rate it →
Elliott Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
397 students10:1Rate it →
Morley Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A−
370 students14:1Rate it →
Zeman Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
360 students13:1Rate it →
Huntington Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
355 students10:1Rate it →
Sheridan Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
352 students14:1Rate it →
Hartley Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
341 students10:1Rate it →
Calvert Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
337 students13:1Rate it →
Beattie Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B+
333 students12:1Rate it →
Brownell Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
325 students12:1Rate it →
McPhee Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
302 students10:1Rate it →
Riley Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
276 students11:1Rate it →
Eastridge Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
264 students15:1Rate it →
Norwood Park Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
251 students10:1Rate it →
Saratoga Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
216 students10:1Rate it →
The path, start to finish
PK–540 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressD to A+
6–812 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC− to A+
9–128 high schoolsDepends on your addressC− to A−

Lincoln’s public schools are run by Lincoln Public Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Lincoln Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 67 schools · 42,301 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 14.3 per teacher (NE 13.8)
$14,781NE $15,602 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading51%
State average 47.1% · 21062 students tested
Math49%
State average 46% · 21044 students tested

Lincoln vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Nebraska towns that share Lincoln’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
LincolnC+Lincoln

Every school in Lincoln

88 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Nebraska’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Lincolnby address
Kooser Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
929 students15:1Rate it →
Roper Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
850 students15:1Rate it →
Belmont Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
773 students11:1Rate it →
Adams Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A+
767 students16:1Rate it →
Wysong Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
738 students17:1Rate it →
Maxey Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
674 students15:1Rate it →
Arnold Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
673 students13:1Rate it →
Campbell Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
669 students12:1Rate it →
Rousseau Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
587 students15:1Rate it →
Cavett Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
556 students15:1Rate it →
Ecse - Homebased
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
527 students31:1Rate it →
Meadow Lane Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
523 students12:1Rate it →
Kloefkorn Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A+
497 students16:1Rate it →
Humann Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
487 students14:1Rate it →
Prescott Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
485 students11:1Rate it →
Everett Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
480 students11:1Rate it →
West Lincoln Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
463 students12:1Rate it →
Clinton Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
457 students11:1Rate it →
Randolph Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B−
452 students12:1Rate it →
Pyrtle Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
449 students15:1Rate it →
Fredstrom Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
443 students15:1Rate it →
Kahoa Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
432 students15:1Rate it →
Pershing Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B−
421 students12:1Rate it →
Lakeview Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
418 students13:1Rate it →
Holmes Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
402 students14:1Rate it →
Hill Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
402 students14:1Rate it →
Robinson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
398 students13:1Rate it →
Elliott Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
397 students10:1Rate it →
Morley Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A−
370 students14:1Rate it →
Zeman Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
360 students13:1Rate it →
Huntington Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
355 students10:1Rate it →
Sheridan Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
352 students14:1Rate it →
Hartley Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
341 students10:1Rate it →
Calvert Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
337 students13:1Rate it →
Beattie Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B+
333 students12:1Rate it →
Brownell Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
325 students12:1Rate it →
McPhee Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
302 students10:1Rate it →
Riley Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
276 students11:1Rate it →
Eastridge Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
264 students15:1Rate it →
Norwood Park Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
251 students10:1Rate it →
Saratoga Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
216 students10:1Rate it →
Educare of Lincoln
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
124 studentsRate it →
Early Childhood at Northwest High School
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
26 students13:1Rate it →
Early Childhood at Standing Bear HS
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
21 students10:1Rate it →
Infant Toddler at Lincoln High School
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
11 students6:1Rate it →
Infant Toddler at Bryan Community School
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
8 students4:1Rate it →
Infant Toddler at Lincoln Northeast High School
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
3 students3:1Rate it →
Scott Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A
1,020 students16:1Rate it →
Schoo Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
1,006 students16:1Rate it →
Goodrich Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
849 students13:1Rate it →
Moore Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A+
849 students19:1Rate it →
Park Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
843 students13:1Rate it →
Lux Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A
803 students16:1Rate it →
Irving Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B
795 students15:1Rate it →
Pound Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A−
731 students15:1Rate it →
Mickle Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B
705 students15:1Rate it →
Culler Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
677 students11:1Rate it →
Lefler Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
584 students13:1Rate it →
Dawes Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
395 students11:1Rate it →
Southwest High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
2,110 students20:1Rate it →
Lincoln High School
High · Grades 9–12
C
2,086 students14:1Rate it →
Lincoln East High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
1,982 students17:1Rate it →
North Star High School
High · Grades 9–12
C−
1,927 students16:1Rate it →
Lincoln Southeast High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
1,848 students17:1Rate it →
Lincoln Northeast High School
High · Grades 9–12
C−
1,819 students17:1Rate it →
Northwest High School
High · Grades 9–12
1,017 students15:1Rate it →
Standing Bear High School
High · Grades 9–12
631 students16:1Rate it →
Online schools based in Lincolnnot counted as local schools
University of Nebraska High School
High · Grades 7–12
A−
Online
165 students8:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Pius X High School
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Catholic
1,068 students12:1Rate it →
St. Joseph School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
478 students15:1Rate it →
North American Martyrs School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
478 students21:1Rate it →
St. Michael Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
376 students19:1Rate it →
Messiah Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Private · Religious
358 students30:1Rate it →
Lincoln Lutheran Middle/High School
Grades 6–12
Private · Religious
321 students13:1Rate it →
St. John the Apostle Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
314 students14:1Rate it →
St. Peter Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
292 students15:1Rate it →
St. Teresa Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
256 students12:1Rate it →
College View Academy
Grades K–12
Private · Religious
233 students14:1Rate it →
Parkview Christian Elementary
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
231 students10:1Rate it →
Christ Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
Private · Religious
174 students15:1Rate it →
Blessed Sacrament School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
153 students11:1Rate it →
Trinity Lutheran Church & School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Private · Religious
147 students20:1Rate it →
St. Mark Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
85 students17:1Rate it →
Faith Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades K–5
Private · Religious
82 students11:1Rate it →
St. Mark Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Religious
76 students15:1Rate it →
Children's Circle Montessori
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
44 students29:1Rate it →
George Stone SDA Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Religious
23 students12:1Rate it →
Trinity Kindergarten Program
Elementary · Grades K
Private · Nonsectarian
11 students11:1Rate it →

Left off: 15 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Morton School, Pathfinder Ed PRG-Lancaster Co, Child Guidance School, Nebraska Youth Academy, Science Focus Program, Arts & Humanities Focus PRGM, Special Ed Yankee Hill Program, High School Student Support Program, Bryan Community School, Donald D Sherrill Education CNTR - Elem, Nuernberger Education Center, LPS Career Academy, Middle School Student Support Program, LPS Graduation Pathways Program and Bay High Focus Program).

Questions about Lincoln’s schools

Are Lincoln’s schools good?

On Nebraska’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lincoln children attend score below 64% of Nebraska’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #34 of 57 Nebraska towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 30%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Lincoln in?

Lincoln Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 42,301 students in 67 schools (2024–25).

Where do Lincoln kids go to high school?

One of 8 high schools, depending on your address: Southwest High School, Lincoln High School, Lincoln East High School, North Star High School, Lincoln Southeast High School, Lincoln Northeast High School, Northwest High School and Standing Bear High School.

What is Lincoln’s graduation rate?

82% of the class of 2023 in Lincoln Public Schools graduated in four years, against 87% across Nebraska.

How much does Lincoln spend per student?

$14,781 in Lincoln Public Schools (FY2024), against $15,602 across Nebraska. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Lincoln?

Yes: Pius X High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 1,068 students), St. Joseph School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 478 students), North American Martyrs School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 478 students), St. Michael Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 376 students), Messiah Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–5, 358 students), Lincoln Lutheran Middle/High School (religious, grades 6–12, 321 students), St. John the Apostle Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 314 students), St. Peter Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 292 students), St. Teresa Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 256 students), College View Academy (religious, grades K–12, 233 students), Parkview Christian Elementary (religious, grades PK–12, 231 students), Christ Elementary School (religious, grades K–5, 174 students), Blessed Sacrament School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 153 students), Trinity Lutheran Church & School (religious, grades PK–5, 147 students), St. Mark Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 85 students), Faith Lutheran School (religious, grades K–5, 82 students), St. Mark Elementary School (religious, grades K–8, 76 students), Children's Circle Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 44 students), George Stone SDA Elementary (religious, grades K–8, 23 students) and Trinity Kindergarten Program (nonsectarian, grades K, 11 students).

Parents talk

What Lincoln families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lincoln → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Nebraska. Stars are from neighbors.