Educational institutions & services
Crete Public Schools
The Crete Public School District includes over 2,000 students and over 300 staff and faculty in four main buildings, including Crete Elementary School (grades Preschool to 2), Crete Intermediate School (grades 3 to 5), Crete Middle School (grades 6 to 8) and Crete High School (grades 9-12). The district also incorporates early childhood education, adult-learning and GED programs. Crete School District Superintendent is Dr. Joshua McDowell. The Crete Board of Education has six members, elected at-large from the district. More information...
The new Cardinal Welcome Center opened in November 2021 in a fully renovated, former commercial building at 930 Main Ave. The center has offices for administration, board of education meetings, educational services, and student registration.
Crete High School was completed in 2016 with a two-story academic wing, 645-seat auditorium, industrial technology area, and two gyms with a walking track. Crete Intermediate School was completed in 2004 with an addition in 2009. Crete Middle School underwent renovations in 2016. A new, outdoor eight-lane track is also part of district facilities. Crete High School students participate in a wide range of academic, fine arts, service, career-oriented, and leadership clubs and organizations; have access to dual credit classes; and compete on 18 athletic teams. The mascot is the Cardinals.
- Crete Public Schools Cardinal Welcome Center | 930 Main Ave. | 402-826-5855
- Crete Elementary School | 309 East 11th Street | 402-826-5822
- Crete Intermediate School | 1700 Glenwood Avenue | 402-826-5844
- Crete Middle School | 1500 East 15th Street | 402-826-5833
- Crete High School | 1750 Iris Avenue | 402-826-5811
St. James Catholic School
St. James Elementary School educates approximately 90 children in grades Preschool through grade 6 and is affiliated with Sacred Heart Catholic Church, part of the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln. More information...
- St. James School | 525 East 14th Street | 402-826-2318
ESU 6
Crete is a member of Educational Service Unit (ESU) 6, headquartered in nearby Milford. ESU 6 serves five counties by coordinating services such as leasing of media materials and specialized equipment for instructional programs, cooperative purchasing and special education services. More information...
Blue River Childcare Program & Head Start
Blue River Childcare and Preschool - Infant to school-aged quality inclusive early education and childcare services, (402) 826-4216. Head Start is a nationally renowned child development program for preschool children ages 3-5, which stresses parent involvement, education, social services and health, (402) 826-5211. More information from BVCA.
- Blue River Family Center | 325 E 9th St.
Sixpence - Early Childhood Programs
The Sixpence Early Learning Fund promotes high-quality early care and learning opportunities that help parents guide the healthy development of their infants and toddlers. Early Head Start is a home-based program that provides pregnant women and children ages 0-3 with family centered services and activities focused on parent education, comprehensive health services and nutrition. More information from Sixpence at Crete Public Schools.
A current list of licensed daycare facilities is available from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, 402-826-2196.
Doane University was founded as Doane College in Crete in 1872 after the success of a college preparatory academy for local students. The liberal arts institution, with roots in the Congregational Church, now operates the College of Arts and Sciences on the residential, 300-acre Crete campus of about 1,000 undergraduate students and over 300 faculty and staff in 38 campus buildings; additional undergraduate and graduate programs are located on campuses in Lincoln, Grand Island and Omaha. The name change to Doane University took place in May of 2016. Doane University President is Dr. Roger Hughes. More information...
Doane offers 44 majors and 37 minors. The campus offers over 60 student organizations, many of which are active in the community. These include nine vocal and instrumental groups, which perform regularly. Doane student-athletes field teams in 22 intercollegiate sports participating in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The mascot is the Tigers.
- Padour-Walker Administration Building | 1014 Boswell Avenue | 402-826-2161
- Campus entrances off of East 13th Street, Iris Ave. or Boswell Ave.
- See a map and directions from doane.edu
Southeast Community College
Southeast Community College is a two-year public institution of higher education serving a primary area of 15 counties in southeast Nebraska. SCC offers over 50 program options including degrees, diplomas and certificates. Three main campuses include nearby Milford, Beatrice, and Lincoln. More information...
- 600 State Street, Milford | 402-761-2131
- 4771 W. Scott Road, Beatrice | 402-228-3468
- 8800 O. Street, Lincoln | 402-471-3333
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
The City Campus and East Campus of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln are located about 25 miles from Crete, with over 25,000 students in the colleges of undergraduate study as well as the Office of Graduate Studies and College of Law.
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