Total enrollment
5,530
+458 (+9%) vs SY 2017-18
Platte County
Nebraska · Public K-12
Public K-12 schools in Platte County number 19 per the most recent NCES data, averaging about 291 students per campus. By level, that breaks down as 11 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools.
7-year change in Platte County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
16
+1 (+7%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
51%
was 61%
% Hispanic
46%
was 36%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
19
4 districts
Enrollment
5,530
NCES CCD
Median income
$71,552
Above Nebraska avg
Free/reduced lunch
49.6%
Above Nebraska avg
Elementary
11
2,399 students
Middle
2
1,318 students
High
4
1,813 students
Combined / other
2
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
COLUMBUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
4,171 students · 4 districts in Platte County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Platte 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
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
23.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.0%
civilian labor
Median age
38
26.6% under 18
Test scores in Platte County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 10 schools ranked. Nebraska state average: 57.6%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- PLATTE CENTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 71.9%
- HUMPHREY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 68.4%
- SHELL CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 64.2%
- LAKEVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL· 56.1%
- NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY· 49.6%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- COLUMBUS MIDDLE SCHOOL· 39.7%
- LOST CREEK ELEMENTARY SCH· 43.5%
- WEST PARK ELEMENTARY· 47.5%
- EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 47.9%
- CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 48.8%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL | Columbus | High | 09-12 | 1,337 | · |
| COLUMBUS MIDDLE SCHOOL | Columbus | Middle | 05-08 | 1,166 | · |
| SHELL CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Columbus | Elementary | PK-06 | 373 | · |
| CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Columbus | Elementary | PK-04 | 353 | · |
| LAKEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL | Columbus | High | 09-12 | 344 | · |
| LOST CREEK ELEMENTARY SCH | Columbus | Elementary | PK-04 | 318 | · |
| NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY | Columbus | Elementary | PK-04 | 304 | · |
| EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Columbus | Elementary | PK-04 | 286 | · |
| WEST PARK ELEMENTARY | Columbus | Elementary | PK-04 | 215 | · |
| HUMPHREY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Humphrey | Elementary | PK-06 | 177 | · |
| KRAMER EDUCATION CENTER | Columbus | Elementary | PK-PK | 170 | · |
| PLATTE CENTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Platte Center | Elementary | PK-06 | 168 | · |
| LAKEVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Columbus | Middle | 07-08 | 152 | · |
| HUMPHREY JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL | Humphrey | High | 07-12 | 132 | · |
| PATHWAYS BEYOND/EARLY STEPS TO SUCCESS BUILDING | Columbus | Elementary | PK-PK | 22 | · |
| LINDSAY ATTENDANCE CENTER | Lindsay | Elementary | PK-KG | 13 | · |
| ESU 7 BRIDGES | Columbus | Combined | PK-12 | 0 | · |
| ESU 7 CENTER | Columbus | High | 08-11 | 0 | · |
| ESU 7 LEARNING ACADEMY | Columbus | Combined | PK-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Platte County
About Platte County
Platte County is a thinly populated Nebraska county of about 34,716 residents, home to 19 public schools and roughly 5,530 students.
Stepping back, census numbers show the median household earns about $71,552 a year, roughly 23% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 8% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
Looking at the level breakdown, Platte County covers 11 elementary schools (2,399 students), 2 middle schools (1,318), 4 high schools (1,813), and 2 combined or other schools.
COLUMBUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 4,171 students across Platte County.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Platte County has grew 9% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 5,072 students to 5,530. The school count climbed from 15 to 16 across the same 7-year window. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 61% to 51% over the same window.
On allk12, the community for Platte County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Platte County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data