For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 2,159 students in Buffalo County, NE.
The top ranked public middle schools in Buffalo County, NE are Horizon Middle School, Ravenna Senior High School and Amherst High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buffalo County, NE public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 67% (versus the Nebraska public middle school average of 61%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 44% statewide average). Middle schools in Buffalo County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Nebraska public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public middle school average of 34% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Buffalo County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Horizon Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
915 W 35th St
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8120
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8120
Grades: 6-8
| 631 students
Rank: #22.
Ravenna Senior High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
41750 Carthage Rd
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 452-3249
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 452-3249
Grades: 7-12
| 168 students
Rank: #33.
Amherst High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 N Sycamore
Amherst, NE 68812
(308) 826-3131
Amherst, NE 68812
(308) 826-3131
Grades: 7-12
| 167 students
Rank: #44.
Shelton High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
210 9th St
Shelton, NE 68876
(308) 647-5459
Shelton, NE 68876
(308) 647-5459
Grades: 7-12
| 110 students
Rank: #55.
Sunrise Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4611 Ave N
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8150
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8150
Grades: 6-8
| 543 students
Rank: #66.
Elm Creek High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
230 East Calkins Avenue
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 856-4300
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 856-4300
Grades: 7-12
| 155 students
Rank: #77.
Pleasanton High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
303 Church St
Pleasanton, NE 68866
(308) 388-2041
Pleasanton, NE 68866
(308) 388-2041
Grades: 7-12
| 135 students
Rank: #88.
Gibbon High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1030 Court Street
Gibbon, NE 68840
(308) 468-5721
Gibbon, NE 68840
(308) 468-5721
Grades: 7-12
| 250 students
Rank: n/an/a
Hanny Arram Center
Alternative School
3907 6th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-6900
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-6900
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Buffalo County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1404 East 39th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-6977
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-6977
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
7700 E 78th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 237-5664
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 237-5664
Grades: PK-8
| 9 students
26520 Pawnee Rd
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 467-2339
Ravenna, NE 68869
(308) 467-2339
Grades: PK-8
| 2 students
74204 L Road
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 995-4771
Elm Creek, NE 68836
(308) 995-4771
Grades: PK-6
| 19 students
2041 East 56th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 236-7145
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 236-7145
Grades: PK-8
| n/a students
Kearney Student Services (Closed 2011)
Special Education School
910 East 34th St
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8233
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8233
Grades: PK
| n/a students
561 Webb St
Odessa, NE 68861
(308) 237-5415
Odessa, NE 68861
(308) 237-5415
Grades: PK-8
| 29 students
29050 145th Road
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-1618
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-1618
Grades: PK-6
| 16 students
123 1st Street Box 9
Riverdale, NE 68870
(308) 893-2481
Riverdale, NE 68870
(308) 893-2481
Grades: PK-8
| 46 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Buffalo County, NE?
The top ranked public middle schools in Buffalo County, NE include Horizon Middle School, Ravenna Senior High School and Amherst High School.
How many public middle schools are located in Buffalo County?
9 public middle schools are located in Buffalo County.
What is the racial composition of students in Buffalo County?
Buffalo County public middle schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public middle schools average of 34% (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.