For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public high schools serving 692 students in Thurston County, NE.
The top-ranked public high schools in Thurston County, NE are Pender High School, Walthill High School and Umo N Ho N Nation High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Thurston County, NE public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the Nebraska public high school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 47% statewide average). High schools in Thurston County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public high schools.
Thurston County, NE public high school have a Graduation Rate of 72%, which is less than the Nebraska average of 84%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Pender High School, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Nebraska or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Nebraska public high school average of 36% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Thurston County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pender High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
609 Whitney St
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3244
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3244
Gr: 7-12 | 184 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Walthill High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
602 Main St
Walthill, NE 68067
(402) 846-5432
Walthill, NE 68067
(402) 846-5432
Gr: 7-12 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #33.
Umo N Ho N Nation High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
470 Main St
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5622
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5622
Gr: 9-12 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: #44.
Winnebago High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
202 Osborne St
Winnebago, NE 68071
(402) 878-2224
Winnebago, NE 68071
(402) 878-2224
Gr: 9-12 | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Thurston County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1442 V Road
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-2592
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-2592
Gr: PK-8 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Thurston County, NE?
The top-ranked public high schools in Thurston County, NE include Pender High School, Walthill High School and Umo N Ho N Nation High School.
How many public high schools are located in Thurston County?
4 public high schools are located in Thurston County.
What is the racial composition of students in Thurston County?
Thurston County public high schools minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Nebraska public high schools average of 36% (majority Hispanic).
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