Kearney Public Schools
Kearney Public Schools is a Nebraska public K-12 district founded in 1872, serving approximately 34,000 residents across 15 schools from preschool through age 21 with 574 staff. It is funded by property taxes, state aid, and federal grants, and offers AP, CTE, special education, and alternative schooling programs.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1872
- HeadquartersKearney, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Kearney Public Schools does
Kearney Public Schools (KPS) is a public K-12 school district headquartered at 320 West 24th Street in Kearney, Nebraska, operating under the authority of the State of Nebraska and governed by a locally elected seven-member Board of Education. Founded in 1872, the district serves students from preschool through age 21 across 15 school buildings: ten elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-8), one comprehensive high school (Kearney High School), one alternative school (Hanny Arram Center for Success), an alternative elementary (Cottonwood Elementary), and the Bright Futures early childhood complex. The district supports a community of approximately 34,000 residents with a roster of 574 staff, including classroom teachers, administrators, and operational personnel across departments such as Facilities, Technology, Transportation, Finance, Human Resources, Communications, and Special Education.
KPS operates a platform educational portfolio anchored by accredited academic programs including Advanced Placement courses, Career and Technical Education pathways, English Learners, High Ability Learners, Title I, Special Education, and an 18-21 transition program for young adults with developmental disabilities. The district's technology stack is composed entirely of third-party integrated platforms: Canvas (LMS), Synergy (student information system), NWEA MAP (assessment), Clever (SSO), SmartSchool K-12 (meal payments, branded as KPS Diner Pay), Frontline (absence management), ExecuTime (time and attendance), SchoolDude (facilities), Follett Destiny (library), Finalsite (website and communications), and a dedicated mobile app on iOS and Android. Supporting services include the Bearcat Diner nutrition program (with USDA Community Eligibility Provision), KCLC after-school care, and the Merryman Performing Arts Center.
KPS is funded primarily through local property taxes, Nebraska Department of Education allocations, and federal grants and meal reimbursements; the district does not charge tuition and operates as a government entity rather than a private enterprise. Ancillary revenue streams include student fees (activity, athletic, and 2026-2027 published fee schedules), meal fees (elementary breakfast $1.75 / lunch $2.75; secondary breakfast $2.00 / lunch $3.10), and facility rental income via the Rent My Campus system. The KPS Foundation operates as a separate 501(c)(3) supporting fundraising, scholarships, alumni engagement, and the KCLC after-school program. No private equity, venture capital, or individual ownership interests are involved in the district's structure.
Kearney Public Schools firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kearney Public Schools
- Legal name
- Kearney Public Schools
- Website
- https://kearneypublicschools.org
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1872
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Kearney Public Schools is a Nebraska public K-12 district founded in 1872, serving approximately 34,000 residents across 15 schools from preschool through age 21 with 574 staff. It is funded by property taxes, state aid, and federal grants, and offers AP, CTE, special education, and alternative schooling programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kearney Public Schools industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Public Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB), Public Middle Schools (EDAJAAAC), Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD), Public Special Education Schools & Programs (EDAJAAAH), School Feeding & Child Nutrition Programs (BPADAJAD)
Keywords
Where Kearney Public Schools is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kearney
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Kearney Public Schools business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Public Education Funding: Funded primarily through local property taxes, state education funding from Nebraska Department of Education, and federal grants and programs. As a public school district, revenue is derived from public taxation and government allocations rather than direct tuition.
- Meal Services (Bearcat Diner): Food services program providing breakfast and lunch to students. Families pay meal fees; some students qualify for free/reduced meals based on income eligibility. Revenue from meal purchases and federal meal program reimbursements.
- Facility Rental: Community use of school facilities through Rent My Campus system for events and activities, generating rental fees for outside usage.
- Student Fees: Various student fees including activity fees, athletic registration, and other school-related charges for the 2026-2027 school year.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Elementary School Meals 2026-2027 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Middle School Meals 2026-2027 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | High School Meals 2026-2027 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Kearney Public Schools product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kearney Public Schools is a public K-12 school district that delivers comprehensive educational services from preschool through age 21 across 15 school buildings, including elementary, middle, and high school instruction, early childhood programs, special education, alternative education, English Learners support, and Advanced Placement and Career and Technical Education pathways. The district also provides ancillary services such as school nutrition (Bearcat Diner), before/after-school care (KCLC), counseling, health services, and transportation, funded through public taxation and government allocations rather than direct tuition.
Product overview
Kearney Public Schools (KPS) is a public school district serving the Kearney, Nebraska community with a comprehensive educational portfolio spanning early childhood through high school. The district operates a platform structure consisting of multiple school levels: ten elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-8), one comprehensive high school (9-12), alternative education options (Cottonwood Elementary, Hanny Arram Center for Success 6-12), and early childhood programs (Bright Futures Preschool, Toddler Program, Home Visitation). Academic programs include AP courses, CTE pathways, English Learners, High Ability Learners, Title I, and Special Education. Supporting services include the Bearcat Diner nutrition program, KCLC after-school care, and the KPS mobile app. The district utilizes various third-party educational technology platforms including Canvas LMS, Synergy SIS, and NWEA MAP assessments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Bright Futures Preschool: Early childhood education program for 3 and 4-year-olds
- Bright Futures Toddler Program
- Bearcat Diner
- Kearney Community Learning Center (KCLC)
- Merryman Performing Arts Center
- KPS Foundation
Products and services
- Kearney High School (KHS) Comprehensive high school serving grades 9-12 with AP courses, CTE pathways, and college preparation; accredited through AdvancED and recognized as an Outstanding Secondary School by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Horizon Middle School Middle school serving grades 6-8 with academic programs emphasizing respect, responsibility, resourcefulness, and safety, plus exploratory opportunities in fine arts, technology, and extracurricular activities.
- Sunrise Middle School Middle school serving grades 6-8 with academic core subjects and exploratory opportunities in fine arts, technology, industrial technology, family and consumer science, and physical education.
- Elementary Schools Network (10 schools) Network of ten elementary schools (Bryant, Buffalo Hills, Central, Cottonwood, Emerson, Kenwood, Meadowlark, Northeast, Park, Windy Hills) serving grades K-5 with consistent curriculum emphasizing physical education, art, music, guidance, library, technology, and recess.
- Bright Futures Preschool Preschool program for 3 and 4-year-olds with educational programming addressing each child's physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development through hands-on interaction in a family-oriented environment.
- Bright Futures Toddler Program Early childhood program for children 18-36 months, providing services including specialists who work with families to improve parent-child interactions and prepare children for K-12 entry.
- Home Visitation Program Early childhood education services for children prenatal to three years, providing language development, social-emotional development support, and parent education to prepare children for school success.
- Hanny Arram Center for Success 6-12 Alternative education center serving grades 6-12, providing specialized educational programming for students needing alternative learning approaches.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Courses College-level courses offered at Kearney High School allowing students to earn college credit through standardized AP exams; KHS is a member of the College Board.
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways Vocational and technical training programs providing real-world skills and career preparation across various industry sectors, in partnership with Central Community College.
- English Learners Program Language support services for students learning English as a second language, providing English language development instruction.
- High Ability Learners Program Gifted and talented education services providing enriched and accelerated learning opportunities for high-achieving students.
- Title I Program Federally funded supplemental education program providing additional academic support and interventions for students needing help meeting academic standards.
- Special Education Programs Specialized educational programs and services for students with disabilities, integrated within all fifteen district buildings with continuum of services from birth to age 21.
- KHS to Age 21 Transition Program Transition services for young adults with developmental disabilities ages 18-21, providing learning in community settings to develop vocational and daily living skills.
- Bearcat Diner School Nutrition Program School nutrition program providing breakfast and lunch meals to students across all KPS schools, with free and reduced meal eligibility processing and online payment via SmartSchool K-12.
- Kearney Community Learning Center (KCLC) After-school program providing extended care and educational enrichment activities for KPS students, available to support family and learning needs.
Quantifiable outcome
- KHS consistently scores above state and national averages on the ACT test
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Kearney Public Schools
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Kearney Public Schools technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration19 records
Feature3 records
Kearney Public Schools partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Junior AchievementcoreCommunity partnership with Junior Achievement providing students with entrepreneurship education, financial literacy, and work readiness programs through local chapter engagement.
- TeamMatescoreMentorship program partnership connecting students with adult mentors through the Kearney chapter. School resource officers participate as TeamMates mentors.
- KCLC - Kearney Community Learning CentercoreAfter-school program partnership providing extended learning and childcare services for KPS students, operated through the KPS Foundation.
- Merryman Performing Arts CentercorePartnership with the Merryman Performing Arts Center providing students access to performing arts facilities and enrichment programs.
- KPS FoundationcoreOfficial foundation of Kearney Public Schools supporting fundraising, alumni relations, Class Act program, scholarships, and community engagement.
- University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK)minorHigher education partnership providing student teaching opportunities and pathway programs for future educators.
- Central Community CollegeminorCareer and Technical Education pathway partnership supporting students pursuing technical careers and college credits.
- Kearney Police DepartmentcoreSchool Resource Officer program placing trained police officers in schools for safety, mentorship, and student support services.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Kearney Public Schools competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lincoln Public Schools: Nebraska's second-largest public K-12 district, serving Lincoln with a similar multi-school structure and tax-based funding model. Operates the same PK-12 portfolio of elementary, middle, and high school programs as KPS and competes with Kearney for state performance rankings and per-pupil aid.
- Omaha Public Schools: Largest Nebraska public school district, serving Omaha with a comprehensive PK-12 offering, magnet programs, and similar state-aid funding model. Directly comparable in core operating model (geographic enrollment, tax-funded, Nebraska state standards) and competitive for state and regional performance recognition.
- Grand Island Public Schools: Central Nebraska public K-12 district of comparable size to KPS, serving Grand Island with multiple elementary, middle, and high schools. Same state-aid regime, demographic profile (mid-sized Nebraska city), and PK-12 service continuum, making it a direct comparable on budget scale and program mix.
Regional players
- Millard Public Schools: Suburban Omaha public K-12 district in the same Nebraska state-aid system, with a similar multi-school structure and award-winning programs. Comparable in operating model and EdTech adoption, but serves a different geographic market (Omaha metro) rather than competing directly with Kearney.
- Papillion La Vista Community Schools: Another Nebraska public K-12 district in the Omaha metro area with a comparable portfolio of PK-12 schools, AP and CTE programs, and state-aid funding. Operates under the same Nebraska Department of Education framework but does not overlap Kearney's catchment.
- Bellevue Public Schools: Offutt-area Nebraska public school district with a multi-school PK-12 structure, federal-impact funding overhang, and similar reliance on state aid. Comparable in operating complexity and student-services breadth, but based in a different metro area.
Emerging players
- KIPP Foundation: National public charter school network offering K-12 education with a focus on college preparation, drawing students from traditional public districts. Overlaps with KPS by competing for the same family demographic in select markets and operating an alternative public-school model with comparable academic-recognition profile.
- Connections Academy: Operates state-funded online public schools across the U.S., including Nebraska, offering tuition-free K-12 enrollment. Provides parents an alternative to district-based public schools like KPS, with similar state-aid funding mechanics but a fully virtual delivery model.
Broad incumbents
- Stride Inc. National online K-12 education provider (formerly K12 Inc.) offering tuition-free online public schools funded through state per-pupil aid. Competes with KPS for Nebraska students who opt out of brick-and-mortar public schools, including those served by KPS's Hanny Arram alternative center.
Others
- Buffett Early Childhood Institute (University of Nebraska): University-affiliated Nebraska institute advancing birth-through-age-8 early childhood education policy and programming. Overlaps with KPS's Bright Futures Preschool, Toddler Program, and Home Visitation offerings as a Nebraska ecosystem partner and potential collaborator on early-childhood funding.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kearney Public Schools social profiles
Digital presenceKearney Public Schools compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Kearney Public Schools financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kearney Public Schools leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles21 records
Kearney Public Schools subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries19 records
Kearney Public Schools funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kearney Public Schools M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kearney Public Schools
What does Kearney Public Schools do?
Kearney Public Schools is a public K-12 school district that delivers comprehensive educational services from preschool through age 21 across 15 school buildings, including elementary, middle, and high school instruction, early childhood programs, special education, alternative education, English Learners support, and Advanced Placement and Career and Technical Education pathways. The district also provides ancillary services such as school nutrition (Bearcat Diner), before/after-school care (KCLC), counseling, health services, and transportation, funded through public taxation and government allocations rather than direct tuition.
Is Kearney Public Schools a public or private company?
Kearney Public Schools is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Kearney Public Schools founded?
Kearney Public Schools was founded in 1872. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Kearney Public Schools based?
Kearney Public Schools is headquartered in Kearney, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kearney Public Schools make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Public Education Funding is the primary driver. The others are meal Services (Bearcat Diner), facility Rental and student Fees.
Who are Kearney Public Schools's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lincoln Public Schools, Omaha Public Schools and Grand Island Public Schools. Regional players are Millard Public Schools, Papillion La Vista Community Schools and Bellevue Public Schools. Emerging players are KIPP Foundation and Connections Academy. Stride Inc. is listed as a broad incumbent. Buffett Early Childhood Institute (University of Nebraska) is listed as an others.
Does Kearney Public Schools have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kearney Public Schools.
What industry is Kearney Public Schools in?
Kearney Public Schools's product category is K-12 Public Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAE, Public K–12 Combined Schools, with a secondary code of EDAJAAAB, Public Elementary Schools. Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.