Best private high schools in Nebraska
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Nebraska using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.
#30. Heartland Lutheran High School
- Location: Grand Island, NE
- Enrollment: 51 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#29. Norfolk Catholic School
- Location: Norfolk, NE
- Enrollment: 530 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#28. Sacred Heart School
- Location: Falls City, NE
- Enrollment: 228 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#27. Lutheran High School Northeast
- Location: Norfolk, NE
- Enrollment: 122 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#26. Scotus Central Catholic High School
- Location: Columbus, NE
- Enrollment: 364 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#25. Archbishop Bergan Catholic School
- Location: Fremont, NE
- Enrollment: 436 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#24. St. Patrick Junior/Senior High School
- Location: North Platte, NE
- Enrollment: 365 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#23. Cornerstone Christian School
- Location: Bellevue, NE
- Enrollment: 522 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#22. St. Cecilia High School
- Location: Hastings, NE
- Enrollment: 238 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#21. Pope John XXIII Central Catholic High School
- Location: Elgin, NE
- Enrollment: 132 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#20. Kearney Catholic High School
- Location: Kearney, NE
- Enrollment: 357 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#19. Lourdes Central Catholic School
- Location: Nebraska City, NE
- Enrollment: 354 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#18. Concordia Junior/Senior High School
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Enrollment: 395 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#17. Lincoln Lutheran Middle/High School
- Location: Lincoln, NE
- Enrollment: 295 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#16. Quest Forward High School Omaha
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Enrollment: 98 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#15. Parkview Christian Schools
- Location: Lincoln, NE
- Enrollment: 141 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#14. Lincoln Christian School
- Location: Lincoln, NE
- Enrollment: 700 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#13. Roncalli Catholic High School
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Enrollment: 407 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#12. V.J. & Angela Skutt Catholic High School
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Enrollment: 710 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#11. Gross Catholic High School
- Location: Bellevue, NE
- Enrollment: 429 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#10. Nebraska Christian Schools
- Location: Central City, NE
- Enrollment: 200 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#9. Grand Island Central Catholic School
- Location: Grand Island, NE
- Enrollment: 271 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#8. Pius X High School
- Location: Lincoln, NE
- Enrollment: 1,193 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#7. Creighton Preparatory School
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Enrollment: 1,000 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#6. Mercy High School
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Enrollment: 367 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#5. Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Enrollment: 326 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#4. Nebraska Evangelical Lutheran High School
- Location: Waco, NE
- Enrollment: 56 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#3. Marian High School
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Enrollment: 692 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#2. Mount Michael Benedictine High School
- Location: Elkhorn, NE
- Enrollment: 248 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Enrollment: 488 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
