Best Schools in Nelson, Nebraska
2 schools · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Nelson?
Use this page to compare every school in Nelson by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Lawrence/nelson High Sch
High · South Central Nebraska Unified 5. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lawrence - Nelson Middle School
Middle · South Central Nebraska Unified 5. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Schools
2
in this city
Avg Score
4.9
out of 10
Median Home
$78,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
2
in this city
Avg Score
4.9
out of 10
Median Home
$78,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Nelson
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (2 of 2). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lawrence/nelson High Sch | 7.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Lawrence - Nelson Middle School | 2.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 4.9/10
- Median household income
- $58,611
- Median home value
- $78,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 84%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Nelson compares
Median household income
$59k
79% of Nebraska median
About Schools in Nelson, Nebraska
Nelson, Nebraska is home to 2 schools, including 2 public schools. The city's schools span 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 4.9 out of 10, schools in Nelson show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Nelson is Lawrence/nelson High Sch with a composite score of 7.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Nelson is served by 1 school district: SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA UNIFIED 5. These districts collectively serve 733 students.
Nelson's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $58,611. The poverty rate in the area is 8.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47 students · 6th–8th | 2.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
Schools in Nelson
Nelson, Nebraska · 2 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$58,611
Median Home Value
$78,900
Median Rent
$492/mo
Population
615
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
84%
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Community Profile
Nelson has a median household income of $58,611. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $78,900, with a median rent of $492/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Nebraska
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Nebraska
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Nelson, Nebraska
How many schools are in Nelson, Nebraska?
Nelson has 2 schools, including 2 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Nelson, Nebraska?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Nelson is 4.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Nelson, Nebraska?
The top-ranked school in Nelson on MySchoolScout is Lawrence/nelson High Sch with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Nelson, Nebraska?
The top-ranked middle school in Nelson on MySchoolScout is Lawrence - Nelson Middle School with a composite score of 2.8/10.
What is the best high school in Nelson, Nebraska?
The top-ranked high school in Nelson on MySchoolScout is Lawrence/nelson High Sch with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve Nelson, Nebraska?
Nelson is served by 1 school district: South Central Nebraska Unified 5.
What is the education level in Nelson, Nebraska?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Nelson have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Nelson, Nebraska?
The median household income in Nelson is approximately $58,611 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Nelson, Nebraska?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Nelson is 15.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Nelson, Nebraska?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Nebraska Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.