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Excellent

#5 of 967 schools in NE

Top 1% in state

Pender Elementary School

Elementary School · PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

609 WHITNEY ST, Pender, NE 68047

Enrollment

239

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

9.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Nebraska schools

#5 of 967

In Pender

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Pender Elementary School

9.6/10

Elementary School in Pender · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pender High School

8.9/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Emerson-hubbard High School

8.2/10

11.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pender Elementary School

Pender Elementary School is a public elementary school in Pender, NE, part of PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Pender Elementary School serves approximately 239 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Pender Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 out of 10 and ranks #5 of 967 schools in NE.

Structured state assessment records for Pender Elementary School show 87% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.3 pts above NE schools
  • This school 9.6 · Excellent
  • NE avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Pender Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency72% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency80% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+30.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,713
Chronic Absenteeism4.2%

Pender Elementary School — Students at Pender Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 87.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 82.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from NE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2015
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2016
Math
97.5%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
87%
ELA
72%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Pender Elementary School Compares

See how Pender Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.6/10
100th percentile in NE
Academic
9.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
8.7/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
4.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

609 WHITNEY ST, Pender, NE 68047

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pender Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WEST POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby West Point), with a comparable rating. Another option is WISNER-PILGER ELEM SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Wisner), a more accessible option. Additionally, BANCROFT-ROSALIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Bancroft), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pender, see our Pender schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.8 mi
School Distance Rating
PENDER HIGH SCHOOL Pender 0.0 mi 8.9
EMERSON-HUBBARD HIGH SCHOOL Emerson 11.1 mi 8.2
EMERSON-HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL Emerson 11.1 mi 7.6
EMERSON-HUBBARD ELEMENTARY SCH Emerson 11.7 mi 6.7
BANCROFT-ROSALIE JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Bancroft 10.0 mi 5.8
BANCROFT-ROSALIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bancroft 10.0 mi 7.0
WAKEFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wakefield 13.2 mi 4.2
WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Wakefield 13.2 mi 8.0
WALTHILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Walthill 11.4 mi 5.4
WALTHILL HIGH SCHOOL Walthill 11.4 mi 5.9
WISNER-PILGER ELEM SCHOOL Wisner 13.6 mi 8.3
WISNER-PILGER HIGH SCHOOL Wisner 13.6 mi 8.1
ST AUGUSTINE INDIAN MISSION SCHOOL Winnebago 15.0 mi 5.8
WINNEBAGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winnebago 15.0 mi 6.7
WINNEBAGO HIGH SCHOOL Winnebago 15.0 mi 5.1
GUARDIAN ANGELS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Point 18.6 mi 7.7
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL West Point 18.6 mi 5.0
GUARDIAN ANGELS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point 18.6 mi 4.6
WEST POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point 18.7 mi 9.2
WEST POINT - BEEMER MIDDLE SCHOOL West Point 18.8 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68047 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,375

Median Home Value

$183,700

Median Rent

$867/mo

Population

1,900

College Educated

29.8%

Homeownership

80.7%

Avg Commute

26.1 min

Poverty Rate

4.8%

Median Age

39.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
NEWMAN GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newman Grove, NE 9.6
NORTH BEND CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Bend, NE 9.4
SO VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oxford, NE 9.3
ATKINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Atkinson, NE 9.2
HTRS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Humboldt, NE 9.2
RAVENNA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ravenna, NE 9.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pender Elementary School

What grades does Pender Elementary School serve?

Pender Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Pender Elementary School?

Pender Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 239 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pender Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pender Elementary School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pender Elementary School rank in NE?

Pender Elementary School ranks #5 of 967 schools in NE.

What is Pender Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pender Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Pender Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pender Elementary School has 87% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Pender Elementary School a charter school?

No, Pender Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pender Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Pender Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pender Elementary School?

47.3% of students at Pender Elementary 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
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Thurston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
4.2%

District

PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
423
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,713
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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