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McCook, Nebraska Norris from E 1Photo: Ammodramus · Public domain
B+
Schools in McCook · McCook Public Schools

McCook’s public schools outscore 73% of Nebraska districts

On the state math tests, 61% of McCook’s students scored proficient, above the Nebraska average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving McCook, 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.

#13of 57 Nebraska townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Nebraska state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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
59%
▲ 12 pts vs NE 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
61%
▲ 15 pts vs NE 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 3–7 pts vs NE 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.8K
▼ 5% vs NE $15.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.0
NE 13.8
Schools in town
5
1,345 students on the public path
In brief

McCook’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 59% and math 61% in spring 2022, against 47% and 46% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,841 per student, against $15,602 across Nebraska (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is MC Cook Junior High School, then MC Cook Senior High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Patrick School (private) is in town. 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 McCook’s grade

A Test scoresB− Graduation

B+: better than 73% of Nebraska school districts, #13 of 57 Nebraska towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Nebraska average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Nebraska school districts we grade (244)Better than 73%
Lower resultsHigher results
Nebraska towns with similar household incomes (353)Better than 76%
BAA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 728 test results and a graduating class of 126 could put McCook anywhere from B to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of McCook’s students in the tested grades sat them (727 in math, 728 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–3MC Cook Elementary SchoolMcCook Public SchoolsA−
6–8MC Cook Junior High SchoolMcCook Public SchoolsB
9–12MC Cook Senior High SchoolMcCook Public SchoolsA

McCook’s public schools are run by McCook 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.

McCook Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,345 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 14.0 per teacher (NE 13.8)
$14,841NE $15,602 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading59%
State average 47.1% · 728 students tested
Math61%
State average 46% · 727 students tested

McCook vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
McCookB+McCook

Every school in McCook

5 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 McCookby address
MC Cook Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–3 · Mc Cook
A−
411 students14:1Rate it →
Central Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 4–5 · Mc Cook
B+
181 students13:1Rate it →
MC Cook Junior High School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Mc Cook
B
305 students14:1Rate it →
MC Cook Senior High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Mc Cook
A
448 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Patrick School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
155 students11:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (MC Cook Alternative Education and Step School).

Questions about McCook’s schools

Are McCook’s schools good?

By Nebraska’s own tests, yes: the public schools McCook children attend outscore 73% of Nebraska’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #13 of 57 Nebraska towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 76%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is McCook in?

McCook Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,345 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do McCook kids go to high school?

MC Cook Senior High School in Mc Cook, with 448 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is McCook’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in McCook Public Schools graduated in four years, against 87% across Nebraska.

How much does McCook spend per student?

$14,841 in McCook Public Schools (FY2024), against $15,602 across Nebraska. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in McCook?

Yes: St. Patrick School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 155 students).

Parents talk

What McCook families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near McCook → 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.