Education in Buffalo County Offers Advantages for Future Success

Kearney Public Schools serves a population of approximately preK-12 5,800 students in preK-12. District schools are located in Buffalo, Kearney and Phelps Counties, including one high school, two middle schools, ten elementary schools, one non-traditional school serving grades 6-12 and one preschool building. 

With a mission to ‘inspire & empower students to impact the world,’ its strategic plan includes pillars that guide the district in its pursuit to deliver excellence in education.

Amherst Public Schools serves a population of approximately 390 students in grades preK-12, all housed in one school building. Amherst is a small town located 15 miles northwest of Kearney on Hwy 40, with students primarily from the Amherst and Riverdale communities.

The district’s mission statement is to provide a safe, caring environment, challenging all students to work at their highest potential while creating the desire for lifelong learning. Amherst offers various academic classes, including college classes through Central Community College and the University of Nebraska at Kearney via distance learning.

Gibbon School District is a K-12 class III system centered in one facility built in 2009. The Gibbon community, internationally known as the heart of spring Sandhill Crane migration, is a middle-class agriculturally oriented community approximately 2 miles east of Kearney on Highway 30.

The mission of Gibbon Public Schools is to provide opportunities for staff and students to maximize their strengths in a safe environment; engage students in instruction that is rigorous, relevant, and technologically progressive; teach, expect, model, practice and support positive behavior; and communicate and collaborate with stakeholders in meaningful educational processes. The school district’s increased emphasis on technology has resulted in initiatives like computer coding ad coding for students at all grade levels.

Shelton Public Schools serves a population of approximately 276 in grades PK-12 in one school building. Shelton is located about 20 miles northeast of Kearney on Highway 30.

Its mission is to prepare students to read comprehensively, write clearly and purposefully, compute mathematically, communicate effectively and utilize information and technology to create solutions for the 21st century. A $3.4 million renovation and gymnasium addition was completed in 2015. The school has a 1:1 laptop computer initiative for its K-12 grade students as it seeks to provide a rigorous learning opportunity for each student beginning at their current level of performance.

Pleasanton Public School is a Class D school serving approximately 300 preK-12 students in one school building. The village of Pleasanton is located 20 miles north of Kearney on Highway 10.

Through the cooperation of students, staff, family and community, their mission is to offer everyone educational opportunities to excel and become responsible citizens in an ever-changing world. Quality education is a priority in Pleasanton, evidenced by the passing of an $8.995 million bond issue in 2013, with approved levy overrides in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2009.

Elm Creek Public Schools is a public school district with approximately 372 students in preK-12 grades at one elementary school and one high school. The Village of Elm Creek is approximately 15 miles west of Kearney on Highway 30.

The district’s mission is to create an environment where staff and students work to be kind, be respectful, be responsible, be trustworthy, be accountable, be honest and give great effort. Students have access to a robust curriculum and dual-credit college courses and earn college credits culminating in a Diversified Agriculture Certificate from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Ravenna Public Schools serves approximately 450 students in preK-12 grades in one elementary and one high school. Located 30 miles north of Kearney, the school district covers around square miles in Buffalo and Sherman counties. 

The distinct’s mission is "Family--Community--School: Preparing students today to succeed tomorrow." Opportunities tailored to student needs exist, such as distance learning and college credit opportunities, some of which may qualify for dual credit.

Buffalo County is home to three private schools, serving approximately 628 students. All three of the schools hold a religious affiliation. Private School Review rated Buffalo County’s private schools favorable in several categories, including enrollment and teacher-to-student ratios.

Kearney Catholic High School 6-12
Faith Christian School - preK-8
Zion Lutheran School - preK - 8

Offering more than 200 majors, with the most popular undergraduate options typically Business Administration, Education, Pre-Nursing and Medical, Exercise Science and numerous healthcare-related disciplines, the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) is an economic engine in Kearney and Greater Nebraska. There are 4,269 total undergraduates at UNK and 1,772 graduate students. Undergraduate non-resident students continue to increase by 4.4% this year – to 668.

For the 15th consecutive year, UNK was recognized as one of the best public regional universities in the Midwest. Tied for seventh on the list, UNK is the highest-ranked school in Nebraska and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. It’s the eighth time the university has been inside the top 10, including a No. 6 ranking in 2021 and 2020. (Source: U.S. News & World Report)

UNK, and the NU system as a whole, have made strategic moves to offer a world-class education at the most affordable price possible. The Nebraska Promise allows qualifying Nebraska students to attend UNK tuition-free. The New Nebraskan Scholarship reduces the tuition rate for all out-of-state students, who now pay the in-state price for traditional, on-campus classes.

The Kearney divisions of the UNMC College of Nursing and the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions are located on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus. The new Health Science Education Complex includes state-of-the-art classrooms, clinical teaching laboratories, clinical simulation facilities, a gross anatomy laboratory, and plentiful student interaction space. UNK also offers bachelor's degrees and pre-professional programs for preparation for further studies at UNMC.

A second phase of the UNK-UNMC health science complex is expected to break ground in the fall of 2023 and is projected to open in 2025. The second phase will expand current programs and launch new programs to train physicians, pharmacists and public health professionals. Also, a Master of Health Administration will be added to complement UNK’s undergraduate program.

The UNMC College of Nursing ranks in the top tier of the 100 primary nursing schools in the country, with comprehensive BSN, MSN, DNP, Ph.D. and continuing education programs targeting leadership roles in nursing practice, research, education, health policy and administration.

Central Community College is a career and technical education hub that allows students to achieve degree, diploma and certificate programs in two years or less. Popular programs include Advanced Manufacturing Design Technology, Mechatronics, Associates Degree of Nursing, Emergency Medical Services, Information Technology, Criminal Justice and more.

In 2022, CCC Kearney celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Kearney Center. Nearly 40% of the $24M building was paid for by donors locally and beyond.