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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,221

Thunder Ridge High School — Students at Thunder Ridge High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 21.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.9/10
85th percentile in KS
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
41 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Thunder Ridge Schools
District Enrollment
179
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,107
District Rank
#2 of 3

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.

Read our full methodology

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