For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public middle schools serving 1,465 students in Dawson County, NE.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Dawson County, NE are Gothenburg Secondary School, Cozad Middle School and Overton High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dawson County, NE public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the Nebraska public middle school average of 61%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 44% statewide average). Middle schools in Dawson County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public middle school average of 34% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Dawson County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Gothenburg Secondary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1322 Avenue I
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3651
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3651
Gr: 7-12 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Cozad Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1810 Meridian Ave
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2746
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2746
Gr: 6-8 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #33.
Overton High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
401 7th St
Overton, NE 68863
(308) 987-2424
Overton, NE 68863
(308) 987-2424
Gr: 7-12 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #44.
Junior-senior High At Sumner
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
205 E 5th Ave
Sumner, NE 68878
(308) 752-2925
Sumner, NE 68878
(308) 752-2925
Gr: 7-12 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Lexington Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1100 N Washington
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2349
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2349
Gr: 6-8 | 678 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Dawson County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
77050 Hwy 47
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3155
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3155
Gr: PK-8 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
808 Ave D
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2154
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2154
Gr: K-6 | 143 students Minority enrollment: 22%
Cozad Alternative Ed Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1910 Meridian Ave
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2745
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2745
76398 Road 421
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-3573
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-3573
Gr: PK-8 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
75885 Road 428
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 324-2829
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 324-2829
Gr: PK-8 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
75598 Rd 439 Po Box 755
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2745
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2745
Gr: PK-8 | 26 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
75905 Road 431
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3615
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3615
Gr: PK-8 | 26 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
700 N Washington Rm 201
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 784-3573
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 784-3573
Gr: K-8 | 5 students
75795 Hwy 21
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2741
Cozad, NE 69130
(308) 784-2741
Gr: PK-8 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
77131 Road 431
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3604
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3604
Gr: PK-8 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
76955 Road 417
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3161
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-3161
Gr: PK-8 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
123 Caribou St Box 128
Farnam, NE 69029
(308) 569-2331
Farnam, NE 69029
(308) 569-2331
Gr: 6-8 | 75 students
75710 Road 436
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3626
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-3626
Gr: PK-8 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Lexington Child Develop Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1609 N Erie
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-8811
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-8811
Gr: PK | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Hc 79 Box 75
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-2717
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-2717
Gr: PK-8 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
103 East 10th St
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-7360
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-7360
Gr: 9-12
75598 Rd 439
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2745
Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-2745
Gr: PK-8 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Dawson County, NE?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Dawson County, NE include Gothenburg Secondary School, Cozad Middle School and Overton High School.
How many public middle schools are located in Dawson County?
5 public middle schools are located in Dawson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dawson County?
Dawson County public middle schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public middle schools average of 34% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
What It Takes to Run a Public School Day-to-Day
Explore what it takes to run a public school daily, from leadership and staffing to budgeting, safety, and student support systems.
Restorative Justice in Schools: What the Data Shows
Explore restorative justice in schools, including discipline data, outcomes, and implementation insights for educators and families.
Year-Round School Calendars: Pros, Cons, Research
Explore year-round school calendars, including benefits, drawbacks, and what academic research says about student outcomes.