Total enrollment
1,671
+9 (+1%) vs SY 2020-21
Red Willow County
Nebraska · Public K-12
Combined enrollment across Red Willow County's 9 public schools is roughly 1,671 students, an average of about 186 per school. Mc Cook Public Schools runs the largest share. By grade band, the county runs 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools.
4-year change in Red Willow County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
7
+1 (+17%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Red Willow County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Nebraska | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 63.1% | #15 of 26 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,671 | #29 of 47 | #2,384 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 7 | #43 of 47 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.6:1 | #23 of 47 | #769 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 38.5% | #25 of 47 | #2,159 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 23.3% | #32 of 44 | #2,010 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Red Willow County school rankings
Residents
10,557
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
9
3 districts
Enrollment
1,671
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$63,697
Below Nebraska avg
Free/reduced lunch
38.5%
Below Nebraska avg
Elementary
3
764 students
Middle
2
376 students
High
4
531 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
MC COOK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
1,345 students · 3 districts in Red Willow County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Red Willow 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+
24.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
10.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.4%
civilian labor
Median age
42
22.4% under 18
Test scores in Red Willow County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. Nebraska state average: 57.6%.
Top 4 schools (ELA)
- MC COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 67.5%
- MC COOK JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL· 65.0%
- CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 60.9%
- SOUTHWEST ELEMENTARY-INDIANOLA· 60.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MC COOK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Mc Cook | High | 09-12 | 448 | · |
| MC COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Mc Cook | Elementary | PK-03 | 411 | · |
| MC COOK JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Mc Cook | Middle | 06-08 | 305 | · |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Mc Cook | Elementary | 04-05 | 181 | · |
| SOUTHWEST ELEMENTARY-INDIANOLA | Indianola | Elementary | PK-05 | 172 | · |
| SOUTHWEST JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL | Bartley | High | 09-12 | 83 | · |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL | Bartley | Middle | 06-08 | 71 | · |
| MC COOK ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION | Mc Cook | High | 07-12 | 0 | · |
| STEP SCHOOL | Mccook | High | 07-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Red Willow County
About Red Willow County
Across the sparse Nebraska county of Red Willow County of about 10,557 residents, the public-school footprint covers 9 schools and about 1,671 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $63,697 a year, about 25% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 11%. That income level is 8% lower than the Nebraska median.
In terms of grade levels, Red Willow County spans 3 elementary schools (764 students), 2 middle schools (376), and 4 high schools (531).
The largest single district in Red Willow County is MC COOK PUBLIC SCHOOLS, which alone enrolls about 1,345 students.
Trend over the past 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Red Willow County has remained close to its prior level since SY 2020-21, moving from about 1,662 students to 1,671. Over that span, Red Willow County gained 1 school, going from 6 to 7.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Red Willow County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data