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Excellent

#41 of 967 schools in NE

Top 4% in state

Pender High School

High School · PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

609 WHITNEY ST, Pender, NE 68047

Enrollment

184

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

8.9

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Nebraska schools

#41 of 967

In Pender

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Pender High School

8.9/10

High School in Pender · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pender Elementary School

9.6/10

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 High School

Pender High School is a public high school in Pender, NE, part of PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Pender High School serves approximately 184 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Pender High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #41 of 967 schools in NE.

Structured state assessment records for Pender High School show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.2 pts above NE schools
  • This school 8.9 · Excellent
  • NE avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

At 184 students, Pender High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Pender High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency72% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency72% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+23.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College Readiness8.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,713
Chronic Absenteeism8.7%

Pender High School — Students at Pender High School score 72% 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

45.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 75.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 72.7% (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
92%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
62%
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: 9.6/10.

How Pender High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
96th percentile in NE
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Sports
20
10 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
8.7%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics20sports offered
10 boys'·10 girls'·34 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·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 High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. EMERSON-HUBBARD HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Emerson), with a comparable rating. Another option is WISNER-PILGER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Wisner), with a comparable rating. Additionally, WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Wakefield), with a comparable 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 9.6
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
HIGH SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE Syracuse, NE 8.9
BOONE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Albion, NE 8.8
HIGH SCHOOL AT JOHNSON Johnson, NE 9.0
HOWELLS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Howells, NE 8.8
LAUREL-CONCORD-COLERIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Laurel, NE 9.0
NORTH BEND CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL North Bend, NE 8.7

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 ranks #41 of 967 schools in NE.

What is Pender High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pender High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 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 High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pender High School has 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
8.7%
4-Year Graduation
80%+

District

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

Other Schools in This District

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