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Average

#3375 of 8,547 schools in TX

Top 40% in state

Ponder H S

High School · PONDER ISD

400 W BAILEY ST, Ponder, TX 76259

Enrollment

536

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ponder

#2 of 3

public schools

Texas high schools

#818 of 1,699

In district

#2 of 3

PONDER ISD

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Ponder H S

Ponder High School serves 536 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Ponder, Texas. This well-regarded public school maintains a favorable 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio with 42 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #402 out of 8,598 schools statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile among Texas high schools.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and Reading, with 62% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows room for growth, with 44% of students meeting proficiency standards. Ponder High School draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $82,041 and median home values sit at $287,100.

The surrounding area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 11.7%, with 25% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. These community characteristics contribute to a supportive environment for student learning and achievement. Located on West Bailey Street, Ponder High School sits in the heart of this close-knit rural Texas community in Denton County, where students benefit from small-town values while receiving a quality education that prepares them for future success.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Ponder H S 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 Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College Readiness1.8Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,448

Ponder H S — Students at Ponder H S score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 44.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
62%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Ponder H S Compares

See how Ponder H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
61th percentile in TX
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

400 W BAILEY ST, Ponder, TX 76259

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ponder H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. DENTON H S (rated 8.6/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Denton), which scores notably higher. Another option is ARGYLE H S (rated 8.1/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Flower Mound), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KRUM H S (rated 6.9/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Krum), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ponder, see our Ponder schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.1 mi
School Distance Rating
PONDER J H Ponder 0.1 mi 8.2
PONDER EL Ponder 0.2 mi 6.4
LANCE THOMPSON EL Argyle 5.8 mi 6.3
ARGYLE WEST Argyle 6.0 mi 6.8
DYER EL Krum 6.2 mi 7.8
KRUM MIDDLE Krum 6.3 mi 7.7
BLANCHE DODD EL Krum 6.4 mi 8.0
KRUM H S Krum 6.6 mi 6.9
JUSTIN EL Justin 7.3 mi 5.5
KRUM EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Krum 6.8 mi 4.5
ARGYLE 6TH GRADE CENTER Argyle 7.3 mi 7.5
NORTH TEXAS COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-NORTH CAMPUS Denton 7.5 mi 7.9
HILLTOP EL Argyle 7.7 mi 7.5
ARGYLE SOUTH EL Flower Mound 8.6 mi 6.6
ARGYLE MIDDLE Argyle 8.2 mi 7.7
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denton 8.3 mi 7.0
ARGYLE H S Flower Mound 9.1 mi 8.1
DENTON H S Denton 8.5 mi 8.6
KI CHARTER - DENTON Denton 8.4 mi
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Argyle 9.1 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 76259 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,433

Median Home Value

$356,600

Median Rent

$1,387/mo

Population

5,628

College Educated

30%

Homeownership

78%

Avg Commute

31.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ponder H S has a median household income of $94,433. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,600, with a median rent of $1,387/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
ATLANTA H S Atlanta, TX 6.8
DIBOLL H S Diboll, TX 6.8
FORT STOCKTON HIGH Fort Stockton, TX 6.8
FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT H S OF INNOVATION Dallas, TX 6.8
GRAHAM H S Graham, TX 6.8
HICO H S Hico, TX 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ponder H S

What grades does Ponder H S serve?

Ponder H S serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ponder H S?

Ponder H S has an enrollment of approximately 536 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponder H S?

The student-teacher ratio at Ponder H S is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ponder H S rank in TX?

Ponder H S is ranked #3375 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Ponder H S's MySchoolScout rating?

Ponder H S has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Ponder H S?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponder H S has 44.5% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ponder H S a charter school?

No, Ponder H S is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ponder H S a Title I school?

No, Ponder H S is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponder H S?

38.6% of students at Ponder H S 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

City Safety
Low (244/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ponder). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
536
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Denton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PONDER ISD
District Enrollment
1,677
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,102
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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