Education in Keith County

Keith County has school systems that are dedicated to the mission that students will be provided with a safe, positive, learning environment and the necessary tools to achieve academic excellence.   The school systems in Keith County have made the educational needs and individual development of each student paramount and strive to provide a setting where each child can maximize his or her potential with the long-term goal of becoming a responsible member of the community.

Ogallala Public Schools offers a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, with one High School, a Middle School and three elementary schools.  Paxton Public Schools offer a K-12 curriculum and South Platte Public Schools offer a K-12 curriculum.

Keith County also offers two private Christian schools, St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Pre-8 and St. Luke’s Catholic School, K-5, where the student is offered an environment in which the school combines an emphasis on the basics of academics with a commitment to developing the Christian values of integrity, morality, responsibility, and respect for the rights of others. 

The Alternative Learning Lane is an alternative school for high school students whom, for various reasons, are not having their individual educational needs met in the traditional classroom setting.  ALL offers a one-on-one technical teaching program, which includes SAT and ACT preparation, Adult Basic Education, GED preparation, private tutoring, and high school classes.  The program meets accepted State Curriculum Guidelines and has the capabilities to instruct K-16.  ALL is a National College Board approved CLEP testing site. 

Mid-Plains Community College offers an extended campus at the Education Center in Ogallala.   The Education Center serves the purpose of assisting in economic development, education, community service, and workforce development in the three areas of Perkins, Keith and Arthur Counties by offering quality education for residents.

Mid-Plains Community College is located 50 miles east of Ogallala and has a satellite office in Ogallala.  Several classes each semester and in the summer are offered in Ogallala.  In addition, classes are offered through distance learning or online.  Associate degrees can be earned in a variety of programs. 

Mid-Plains Community College offers specialized job training classes in a variety of subjects, including computer classes, customer service training, emergency medical training, and other customized training.  Mid-Plains Community College has a cooperative program with Chadron State College and Bellevue University, which allows individuals to earn a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education or Business Administration.