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Excellent

#143 of 966 schools in NE

Top 15% in state

Pender High School

High School · PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

609 WHITNEY ST, Pender, NE 68047

Enrollment

184

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

8.0

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pender

#1 of 2

public schools

Nebraska high schools

#31 of 263

In district

#1 of 2

PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic performance

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Pender High School

Pender High School serves 184 students in grades 7-12 in the rural community of Pender, Nebraska. This standout school ranks #39 out of 974 schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile and earning an impressive 8.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers, Pender High maintains an excellent 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and strong teacher-student relationships.

The school's academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with 72% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Mathematics across all grade levels. This consistent performance across core subjects reflects the school's commitment to comprehensive education and contributes to its exceptional 9.4 out of 10 academic score. Students benefit from small class sizes and a close-knit learning environment that often characterizes successful rural schools.

The intimate setting allows teachers to know each student individually and tailor instruction to meet diverse learning needs. Pender High School sits in Thurston County's rural landscape, serving a stable community where the median household income reaches $80,078 and only 4.8% of families live below the poverty line. This small-town Nebraska setting provides students with a supportive, family-oriented educational environment where academic excellence clearly thrives.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 184 students, Pender 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.

Located in a rural area, Pender 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 Progress8.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+23.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,496

Pender High School — Students at Pender High School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 70.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
72%
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: 8.0/10.

How Pender High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
85th percentile in NE
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

609 WHITNEY ST, Pender, NE 68047

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pender High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. EMERSON-HUBBARD HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Emerson), which scores slightly higher. Another option is WISNER-PILGER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Wisner), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, GUARDIAN ANGELS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby West Point), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Pender, see our Pender schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.8 mi
School Distance Rating
PENDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pender 0.0 mi 7.3
EMERSON-HUBBARD HIGH SCHOOL Emerson 11.1 mi 8.8
EMERSON-HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL Emerson 11.1 mi 6.1
EMERSON-HUBBARD ELEMENTARY SCH Emerson 11.7 mi 8.7
BANCROFT-ROSALIE JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Bancroft 10.0 mi 4.3
BANCROFT-ROSALIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bancroft 10.0 mi 8.4
WAKEFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wakefield 13.2 mi 4.0
WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Wakefield 13.2 mi 6.1
WALTHILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Walthill 11.4 mi 4.9
WALTHILL HIGH SCHOOL Walthill 11.4 mi 6.5
WISNER-PILGER ELEM SCHOOL Wisner 13.6 mi 7.5
WISNER-PILGER HIGH SCHOOL Wisner 13.6 mi 8.4
ST AUGUSTINE INDIAN MISSION SCHOOL Winnebago 15.0 mi 5.8
WINNEBAGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winnebago 15.0 mi 5.6
WINNEBAGO HIGH SCHOOL Winnebago 15.0 mi 5.5
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 7.6
WEST POINT - BEEMER MIDDLE SCHOOL West Point 18.8 mi 8.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pender High School has a median household income of $74,375. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,700, with a median rent of $867/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
HEARTLAND COMMUNITY HIGH SCH Henderson, NE 8.0
SUTTON SECONDARY SCHOOL Sutton, NE 8.0
HIGH SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE Syracuse, NE 7.9
NORTHEAST SECONDARY SCHOOL Lyons, NE 8.1
OAKLAND CRAIG JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH Oakland, NE 7.9
ST CECILIA MIDDLE SCH/HIGH SCHOOL Hastings, NE 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pender High School

What grades does Pender High School serve?

Pender High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Pender High School?

Pender High School has an enrollment of approximately 184 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Pender High School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pender High School rank in NE?

Pender High School is ranked #143 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Pender High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pender High School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Pender High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pender High School has 70.3% math proficiency and 67.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pender High School a charter school?

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

Is Pender High School a Title I school?

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

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

45.1% of students at Pender 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
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (285/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Thurston County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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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