For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public preschools serving 633 students in Merrick County, NE.
The top-ranked public preschools in Merrick County, NE are High Plains Community Elementary School, Palmer Elementary School and Central City Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Merrick County, NE public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the Nebraska public pre school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 50% statewide average). Pre schools in Merrick County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public preschool average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Merrick County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
High Plains Community Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
205 W Pearl St
Clarks, NE 68628
(308) 548-2216
Clarks, NE 68628
(308) 548-2216
Gr: PK-6 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Palmer Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
202 Commercial St
Palmer, NE 68864
(308) 894-3065
Palmer, NE 68864
(308) 894-3065
Gr: PK-6 | 203 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
Central City Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1711 15th Ave
Central City, NE 68826
(308) 946-3057
Central City, NE 68826
(308) 946-3057
Gr: PK-4 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Merrick County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1003 Cady St Po Box 206
Chapman, NE 68827
(308) 986-2215
Chapman, NE 68827
(308) 986-2215
Gr: PK-8 | 102 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
205 W Pearl St
Clarks, NE 68628
(308) 548-2216
Clarks, NE 68628
(308) 548-2216
Gr: 6-8 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
609 5th St
Silver Creek, NE 68663
(308) 773-2233
Silver Creek, NE 68663
(308) 773-2233
Gr: PK-6 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
609 5th St Box 247
Silver Creek, NE 68663
(308) 773-2233
Silver Creek, NE 68663
(308) 773-2233
Gr: 7-8 | 92 students Minority enrollment: 3%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Merrick County, NE?
The top-ranked public preschools in Merrick County, NE include High Plains Community Elementary School, Palmer Elementary School and Central City Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Merrick County?
3 public preschools are located in Merrick County.
What is the racial composition of students in Merrick County?
Merrick County public preschools minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public preschools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Multilingual Learner Growth Models & Accountability
Learn how multilingual learner growth models are reshaping school accountability systems and what it means for public schools in 2026.
School-Based Health Clinics: Funding, Billing, and Student Access
Learn how school-based health clinics are funded, how billing works, and how students access care in public schools.
Outdoor Learning in Urban Schools: Forest School Programs
Explore how urban districts adopt outdoor learning and forest school programs to boost student engagement, well-being, and academic success.