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
Enrollment
536
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Ponder H S — Students at Ponder H S score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Ponder H S Compares
See how Ponder H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 62% (2021).
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.
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
- Phone
- (940) 479-8312
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PONDER ISD- District Enrollment
- 1,677
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,102
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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 methodologyRelated reading
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