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Phelps County

Nebraska · Public K-12

Public K-12 schools in Phelps County number 8, teaching approximately 1,514 Nebraska students against a population of 9,009. By grade band, the county runs 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.

7-year change in Phelps County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
1,514
-103 (-6%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
8
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
85%
was 88%
% Hispanic
13%
was 9%
% Black
1%
was 0%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
8
3 districts
Enrollment
1,514
NCES CCD
Median income
$68,919
Below Nebraska avg
Free/reduced lunch
39.2%
Below Nebraska avg
Elementary
4
653 students
Middle
1
290 students
High
3
571 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
HOLDREGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
1,006 students · 3 districts in Phelps County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Phelps County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
90%
Hispanic
7%
Black
1%
Asian
0%
Two or more
8%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
85%
Hispanic
13%
Black
0%
Asian
0%
Two or more
2%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
29.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.2%
civilian labor
Median age
41
24.3% under 18

Test scores in Phelps County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. Nebraska state average: 57.6%.

See all 4 schools in Phelps County ranked by score →

All schools (8)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
HOLDREGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLHoldregeElementaryPK-04340·
HOLDREGE HIGH SCHOOLHoldregeHigh09-12337·
HOLDREGE MIDDLE SCHOOLHoldregeMiddle05-08290·
LOOMIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLLoomisElementaryPK-06153·
BERTRAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLBertrandElementaryPK-06121·
LOOMIS SECONDARY SCHOOLLoomisHigh07-12119·
BERTRAND HIGH SCHOOLBertrandHigh07-12115·
HOLDREGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS EARLY CHILDHOOD ED CTRHoldregeElementaryPK-PK39·

Cities in Phelps County

Holdrege4 schoolsBertrand2 schoolsLoomis2 schools

About Phelps County

Across the compact Nebraska county of Phelps County of about 9,009 residents, the public-school footprint covers 8 schools and about 1,514 students.

In context, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $68,919, 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 9%.

On the level-by-level breakdown, Phelps County consists of 4 elementary schools (653 students), 1 middle school (290), and 3 high schools (571).

HOLDREGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,006 students on its own.

Five-year track record. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,514 students, decreased 6% from the 1,617 reported in SY 2017-18. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 88% to 85% over the same window.

On this page, the community for Phelps County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Phelps County?
Phelps County, Nebraska has 8 public K-12 schools serving approximately 1,514 students.
How many high schools are in Phelps County?
Phelps County, Nebraska has 3 public high schools, serving approximately 571 students.
How many middle schools are in Phelps County?
Phelps County, Nebraska has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 290 students.
How many elementary schools are in Phelps County?
Phelps County, Nebraska has 4 public elementary schools, serving approximately 653 students.
What is the largest school district in Phelps County?
HOLDREGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS is the largest school district in Phelps County, serving approximately 1,006 students. The county contains 3 school districts overall.
What is the population of Phelps County?
Phelps County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 9,009, with a median age of 41. About 24.3% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Phelps County?
Median household income in Phelps County is $68,919, below the Nebraska average of $69,055. About 9.4% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Phelps County?
Approximately 29.9% of adults 25 and older in Phelps County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Phelps County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 39.2% of students in Phelps County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the Nebraska county average of 40.0%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Phelps County schools?
Across Phelps County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 11.9 to 1.

Phelps County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data