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Below Average

#269 of 301 schools in WY

Thunder Basin High School

High School · Campbell County School District #1

P.O. Box 3033, Gillette, WY 82717

Enrollment

1,228

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

4.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gillette

#18 of 18

public schools

Wyoming high schools

#72 of 78

In district

#21 of 21

Campbell County School District #1

About Thunder Basin High School

Thunder Basin High School serves 1,228 students in grades 9-12 in Gillette, Wyoming, making it one of the larger high schools in the state. With 74 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1, providing reasonable class sizes for personalized attention. Academically, Thunder Basin is working to strengthen student achievement, with current performance showing room for growth.

The school's math proficiency rates reach 45% across grade levels, while English language arts scores show 40% of students performing at or above grade level. These results place the school at #258 out of 302 Wyoming high schools, indicating opportunities for continued academic development and support. As a regular public school in Campbell County, Thunder Basin serves a substantial student body that represents a significant portion of the local high school population.

The school's size allows for diverse programming and activities that can benefit from economies of scale, while the manageable student-teacher ratio supports meaningful classroom relationships. Thunder Basin High School operates in Gillette, a remote Wyoming community where the school plays a central role in serving local families and contributing to the educational foundation of this tight-knit area.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Thunder Basin High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected-11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,006

Thunder Basin High School — Students at Thunder Basin High School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 46.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from WY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
40%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Thunder Basin High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
11th percentile in WY
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
74 teachers

Location

P.O. Box 3033, Gillette, WY 82717

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thunder Basin High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Westwood High School (rated 6.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Campbell County High School (rated 4.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Gillette, see our Gillette schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Westwood High School Gillette 0.5 mi 6.0
Paintbrush Elementary Gillette 0.7 mi 6.6
Sage Valley Junior High School Gillette 0.8 mi 5.3
Sunflower Elementary Gillette 0.9 mi 7.4
Buffalo Ridge Elementary Gillette 0.8 mi 5.9
Pronghorn Elementary Gillette 0.9 mi 4.8
Stocktrail Elementary Gillette 1.9 mi 7.9
Twin Spruce Junior High School Gillette 2.0 mi 6.0
Campbell County High School Gillette 2.0 mi 4.8
Meadowlark Elementary Gillette 2.2 mi 8.1
Hillcrest Elementary Gillette 2.1 mi 6.7
JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL AT ST MATTHEW'S Gillette 2.4 mi 4.2
Wagonwheel Elementary Gillette 3.1 mi 7.3
Lakeview Elementary Gillette 3.2 mi 7.2
Prairie Wind Elementary Gillette 3.0 mi 7.0
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gillette 3.9 mi 5.8
Conestoga Elementary Gillette 4.3 mi 5.4
Rawhide Elementary Gillette 9.3 mi 7.8
Rozet Elementary Rozet 15.1 mi 5.4
4-J Elementary School Gillette 23.4 mi 6.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Star Valley High School Afton, WY 4.7
Campbell County High School Gillette, WY 4.8
Sheridan High School Sheridan, WY 5.5
Rock Springs High School Rock Springs, WY 3.2
South High School Cheyenne, WY 5.7
Evanston High School Evanston, WY 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thunder Basin High School

What grades does Thunder Basin High School serve?

Thunder Basin High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Thunder Basin High School?

Thunder Basin High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,228 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thunder Basin High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Thunder Basin High School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thunder Basin High School rank in WY?

Thunder Basin High School is ranked #269 out of 301 schools in WY.

What is Thunder Basin High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Thunder Basin High School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Thunder Basin High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thunder Basin High School has 46.0% math proficiency and 41.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Thunder Basin High School a charter school?

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

Is Thunder Basin High School a Title I school?

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

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

22.7% of students at Thunder Basin 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,728/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,228
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
74
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Campbell County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Campbell County School District #1
District Enrollment
8,571
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,610
District Rank
#21 of 21

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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