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
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Pender High School — Students at Pender High School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from NE state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Pender High School Compares
See how Pender High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 72% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (402) 385-3244
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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