For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 2,046 students in Thurston County, NE (there are 1 private school, serving 100 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Thurston County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Thurston County, NE are Pender Elementary School, Pender High School and Umo N Ho N Nation High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Thurston County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 26% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Thurston County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Thurston County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Pender Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
609 Whitney St
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3244
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3244
Grades: PK-6
| 239 students
Rank: #22.
Pender High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
609 Whitney St
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3244
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3244
Grades: 7-12
| 184 students
Rank: #33.
Umo N Ho N Nation High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
470 Main St
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5622
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5622
Grades: 9-12
| 168 students
Rank: #44.
Winnebago Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
202 Osborne St
Winnebago, NE 68071
(402) 878-2224
Winnebago, NE 68071
(402) 878-2224
Grades: PK-8
| 451 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Walthill High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
602 Main St
Walthill, NE 68067
(402) 846-5432
Walthill, NE 68067
(402) 846-5432
Grades: 7-12
| 153 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Winnebago High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
202 Osborne St
Winnebago, NE 68071
(402) 878-2224
Winnebago, NE 68071
(402) 878-2224
Grades: 9-12
| 187 students
Rank: #77.
Walthill Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
602 Main St
Walthill, NE 68067
(402) 846-5432
Walthill, NE 68067
(402) 846-5432
Grades: PK-6
| 168 students
Rank: #88.
Umo N Ho N Nation Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
470 Main St
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5260
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5260
Grades: PK-5
| 391 students
Rank: #99.
Umo N Ho N Nation Middle School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
470 Main St
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5622
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5622
Grades: 6-8
| 105 students
Thurston County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1442 V Road
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-2592
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-2592
Grades: PK-8
| 9 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Thurston County, NE?
The top ranked public schools in Thurston County, NE include Pender Elementary School, Pender High School and Umo N Ho N Nation High School.
How many public schools are located in Thurston County?
9 public schools are located in Thurston County.
What percentage of students in Thurston County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Thurston County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Thurston County?
Thurston County public schools minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
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