For the 2025 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, Umo N Ho N Nation High School and Walthill 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 38% (versus the Nebraska public high school average of 45%), 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 81%, which is less than the Nebraska average of 84%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Umo N Ho N Nation High School, with 80-89% 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 (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Pender High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
609 Whitney St
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3244
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3244
Grades: 7-12
| 184 students
Rank: #22.
Umo N Ho N Nation High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
470 Main St
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5622
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5622
Grades: 9-12
| 168 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Walthill High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
602 Main St
Walthill, NE 68067
(402) 846-5432
Walthill, NE 68067
(402) 846-5432
Grades: 7-12
| 153 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 187 students
Thurston County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1442 V Road
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-2592
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-2592
Grades: PK-8
| 9 students
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, Umo N Ho N Nation High School and Walthill 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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