For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public preschools serving 1,249 students in Thurston County, NE.
The top ranked public preschools in Thurston County, NE are Pender Elementary School, Winnebago Elementary School and Walthill Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Thurston County, NE public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the Nebraska public pre school average of 49%), and reading proficiency score of 25% (versus the 50% statewide average). Pre schools in Thurston County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Nebraska public preschool average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Thurston County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Pender Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
609 Whitney St
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3244
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3244
Grades: PK-6
| 239 students
Rank: #22.
Winnebago Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
202 Osborne St
Winnebago, NE 68071
(402) 878-2224
Winnebago, NE 68071
(402) 878-2224
Grades: PK-8
| 451 students
Rank: #33.
Walthill Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
602 Main St
Walthill, NE 68067
(402) 846-5432
Walthill, NE 68067
(402) 846-5432
Grades: PK-6
| 168 students
Rank: #44.
Umo N Ho N Nation Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
470 Main St
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5260
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5260
Grades: PK-5
| 391 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 preschools in Thurston County, NE?
The top ranked public preschools in Thurston County, NE include Pender Elementary School, Winnebago Elementary School and Walthill Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Thurston County?
4 public preschools are located in Thurston County.
What is the racial composition of students in Thurston County?
Thurston County public preschools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Nebraska public preschools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
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