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Excellent

#80 of 967 schools in NE

Top 8% in state

Ponca High School

High School · PONCA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

505 3RD ST PO BOX 568, Ponca, NE 68770

Enrollment

203

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

8.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Nebraska schools

#80 of 967

In Ponca

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

PONCA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Ponca High School

8.7/10

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

Ponca Elementary School

9.6/10

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

Elk Point-jefferson Elementary - 02

3.9/10

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

About Ponca High School

Ponca High School is a public high school in Ponca, NE, part of PONCA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Ponca High School serves approximately 203 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Ponca High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #80 of 967 schools in NE.

Structured state assessment records for Ponca High School show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.0 pts above NE schools
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • NE avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

Ponca 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 Progress9.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency60% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College Readiness8.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,407
Chronic Absenteeism8.4%

Ponca High School — Students at Ponca High School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 73.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
57%

* 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 Ponca High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.7/10
92th percentile in NE
Academic
8.4/10
Excellent
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Sports
12
6 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
8.4%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics12sports offered
6 boys'·6 girls'·26 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

505 3RD ST PO BOX 568, Ponca, NE 68770

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ponca High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. EMERSON-HUBBARD HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 20.2 miles away, in nearby Emerson), with a comparable rating. Another option is Elk Point-Jefferson High School - 01 (rated 8.1/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Elk Point), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Dakota Valley High School - 01 (rated 6.9/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby North Sioux City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ponca, see our Ponca schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.2 mi
School Distance Rating
PONCA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ponca 0.0 mi 9.6
Elk Point-Jefferson Elementary - 02 Elk Point 8.2 mi 3.9
Elk Point-Jefferson High School - 01 Elk Point 8.3 mi 8.1
Elk Point-Jefferson Middle School - 03 Elk Point 8.3 mi 5.5
JACKSON ELEMENTARY Jackson 10.9 mi 7.2
Dakota Valley High School - 01 North Sioux City 9.6 mi 6.9
Dakota Valley Middle School - 03 North Sioux City 9.6 mi 6.4
Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04 North Sioux City 9.6 mi 5.7
Dakota Valley Elementary - 02 North Sioux City 9.6 mi 7.9
ALLEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Allen 12.4 mi 5.2
ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL Allen 12.4 mi 6.2
Riverside Elementary School Sioux City 12.5 mi 7.5
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Sioux City 12.6 mi 9.0
West Middle School Sioux City 13.8 mi 6.0
West High School Sioux City 14.0 mi 3.2
Loess Hills Elementary Sioux City 14.2 mi 6.3
EMERSON-HUBBARD ELEMENTARY SCH Emerson 19.6 mi 6.7
Liberty Elementary School Sioux City 15.1 mi 7.2
EMERSON-HUBBARD HIGH SCHOOL Emerson 20.2 mi 8.2
EMERSON-HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL Emerson 20.2 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68770 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,250

Median Home Value

$205,600

Median Rent

$684/mo

Population

1,387

College Educated

28%

Homeownership

71.4%

Avg Commute

19.6 min

Poverty Rate

7.9%

Median Age

42.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
NORTH BEND CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL North Bend, NE 8.7
OAKLAND CRAIG JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH Oakland, NE 8.7
BLUE HILL HIGH SCHOOL Blue Hill, NE 8.6
FREEMAN HIGH SCHOOL Adams, NE 8.6
LOUISVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Louisville, NE 8.6
PERKINS COUNTY JUNIOR- SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Grant, NE 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ponca High School

What grades does Ponca High School serve?

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

How many students attend Ponca High School?

Ponca High School has an enrollment of approximately 203 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Ponca High School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ponca High School rank in NE?

Ponca High School ranks #80 of 967 schools in NE.

What is Ponca High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ponca High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 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 Ponca High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ponca High School has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Ponca High School a charter school?

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

Is Ponca High School a Title I school?

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

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

20.7% of students at Ponca 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
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
203
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dixon County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
8.4%
4-Year Graduation
80%+

District

PONCA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
441
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,407
District Rank
#2 of 3

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