Very Good
#193 of 1,293 schools in KS
Top 15% in state
Thunder Ridge High School
High School · Thunder Ridge Schools
PO BOX 188, Kensington, KS 66951
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kensington
#1 of 2
public schools
Kansas high schools
#15 of 336
In district
#2 of 3
Thunder Ridge Schools
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Thunder Ridge High School
Thunder Ridge High School is a small high school located in the remote rural area of Kensington, Kansas. With an enrollment of just 63 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Thunder Ridge provides a personalized learning environment that focuses on individual needs and development. The school has seven full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with each student to ensure they receive the attention and support necessary for success.
Thunder Ridge High School's MySchoolScout rating is 6.3 out of 10, placing it in the 71st percentile among Kansas schools. While test scores show that only 22% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 15% in Math, Thunder Ridge is actively working to improve these metrics and support student growth. Located outside a small rural community, Thunder Ridge High School offers a tight-knit setting where students can build strong relationships with their peers and teachers.
The school's remote location provides a unique environment that encourages community involvement and local pride among its residents.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 63 students, Thunder Ridge High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Thunder Ridge High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Thunder Ridge High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Thunder Ridge High School — Students at Thunder Ridge High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.
How Thunder Ridge High School Compares
See how Thunder Ridge High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 188, Kensington, KS 66951
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thunder Ridge High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Osborne Junior/Senior High (rated 8.0/10, 28.6 miles away, in nearby Osborne), with a very similar rating. Another option is ALMA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 29.2 miles away, in nearby Alma), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lakeside Junior/Senior High School (rated 7.2/10, 31.3 miles away, in nearby Downs), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Kensington, see our Kensington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
17 within 31.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THUNDER RIDGE ELEMENTARY Kensington | 0.1 mi | 4.2 |
| THUNDER RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Agra | 4.5 mi | 9.3 |
| Smith Center Elem Smith Center | 13.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Smith Center Jr Sr High Smith Center | 13.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Phillipsburg High Phillipsburg | 15.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Phillipsburg Middle Phillipsburg | 15.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Phillipsburg Elem Phillipsburg | 15.7 mi | 6.1 |
| FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Franklin | 23.1 mi | 5.3 |
| FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL Franklin | 23.1 mi | 6.2 |
| FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Franklin | 23.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Stockton Elem Stockton | 26.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Stockton High Stockton | 26.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Osborne Elem Osborne | 28.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Osborne Junior/Senior High Osborne | 28.6 mi | 8.0 |
| ALMA ELEMENTARY AT ALMA Alma | 29.2 mi | 7.7 |
| ALMA HIGH SCHOOL Alma | 29.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Lakeside Junior/Senior High School Downs | 31.3 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 66951 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,000
Median Home Value
$83,300
Median Rent
$910/mo
Population
826
College Educated
27.1%
Homeownership
83.1%
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Median Age
47.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thunder Ridge High School has a median household income of $66,000. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $83,300, with a median rent of $910/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Axtell High Axtell, KS | 7.9 |
| Cedar Vale High Cedar Vale, KS | 7.9 |
| St. Paul High School St. Paul, KS | 7.9 |
| Chase High Chase, KS | 8.0 |
| Weskan High Weskan, KS | 7.8 |
| Capital City Topeka, KS | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thunder Ridge High School
What grades does Thunder Ridge High School serve?
Thunder Ridge High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Thunder Ridge High School?
Thunder Ridge High School has an enrollment of approximately 63 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thunder Ridge High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thunder Ridge High School is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thunder Ridge High School rank in KS?
Thunder Ridge High School is ranked #193 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Thunder Ridge High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thunder Ridge High School has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Thunder Ridge High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thunder Ridge High School has 15.0% math proficiency and 21.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thunder Ridge High School a charter school?
No, Thunder Ridge High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thunder Ridge High School a Title I school?
No, Thunder Ridge High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thunder Ridge High School?
49.2% of students at Thunder Ridge High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 63
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Smith County
- Phone
- (785) 476-2217
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Thunder Ridge Schools- District Enrollment
- 179
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,107
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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