Best High Schools
in Omaha, Nebraska
We ranked the 20 high schools in Omaha with real test data. The top 20 scored between 3.5 and 8.7 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Nebraska education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Omaha for 2026 are Mercy High School (8.7/10), Elkhorn South High School (7.8/10), and Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 20 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Omaha?
Every high school in Omaha is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Mercy High School
Omaha, NE. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Elkhorn South High School
Omaha, NE. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Omaha, NE. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Omaha's 13 ranked high schools span a meaningful range of performance, giving families real choices — but also real differences to weigh. Elkhorn North High School leads the metro with an 8.4/10 composite score, followed closely by Elkhorn South at 8.2/10. The metro average sits at 5.8/10, so the gap between the top tier and the middle of the pack is significant. Five schools, 38% of the ranked list, score 7 or above — a cluster concentrated in the Elkhorn and Millard districts on Omaha's western edge. That geographic pattern is worth noting if you're weighing where to live alongside where to enroll. The table below lets you sort by the metrics that matter most to your family, whether that's overall score, specific academic indicators, or district. Use the columns to cut through the noise and zero in on the schools that fit your priorities.
Score Distribution
Where the top 20 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Omaha's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Nebraska so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 20 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercy High School | 8.7 |
| 2 | Elkhorn South High School ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7.8 |
| 3 | Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart | 7.7 |
| 4 | Concordia Jr.-sr. High School | 7.3 |
| 5 | Millard North High School MILLARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7.2 |
| 6 | Roncalli Catholic High School | 7.0 |
| 7 | Omaha Street School | 7.0 |
| 8 | Millard West High School MILLARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6.9 |
| 9 | Elkhorn North High School ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6.7 |
| 10 | Millard South High School MILLARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6.3 |
| 11 | Westside High School WESTSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | 5.9 |
| 12 | Creighton Preparatory School | 5.7 |
| 13 | Vj & Angela Skutt Catholic High School | 5.2 |
| 14 | Central High School OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 5.0 |
| 15 | Burke High School OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 4.7 |
| 16 | South High School OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 4.0 |
| 17 | Benson High School OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 3.8 |
| 18 | North High School OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 3.7 |
| 19 | Northwest High School OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 3.6 |
| 20 | Bryan High School OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 3.5 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Nebraska education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Nebraska. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 20 High Schools in Omaha
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Omaha's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Omaha
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Omaha's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Nebraska, with 21 schools spanning 7 school districts.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Omaha, Nebraska?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Mercy High School is the top-rated high school in Omaha with a composite score of 8.7/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many high schools are in Omaha, Nebraska?
Omaha has 21 high schools. Of these, 20 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Omaha?
The average composite score for Omaha high schools is 5.9/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Nebraska).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Nebraska, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Nebraska, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.