For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 2,046 students in Thurston County, NE (there are , serving 100 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Thurston County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top-ranked public schools in Thurston County, NE are Pender Elementary School, Pender 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 schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 26% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Thurston County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Thurston County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
Gr: PK-6 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
Winnebago Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
202 Osborne St
Winnebago, NE 68071
(402) 878-2224
Winnebago, NE 68071
(402) 878-2224
Gr: PK-8 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #55.
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: #66.
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
Rank: #77.
Walthill Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
602 Main St
Walthill, NE 68067
(402) 846-5432
Walthill, NE 68067
(402) 846-5432
Gr: PK-6 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Umo N Ho N Nation Middle School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
470 Main St
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5622
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5622
Gr: 6-8 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
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 schools in Thurston County, NE?
The top-ranked public schools in Thurston County, NE include Pender Elementary School, Pender High School and Walthill High School.
How many public schools are located in Thurston County?
9 public schools are located in Thurston County.
What percentage of students in Thurston County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Thurston County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Thurston County?
Thurston County public schools minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Thurston County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Thurston County include: Walthill Elementary School vs. Winnebago Elementary School, Walthill Elementary School vs. Umo N Ho N Nation Elementary School, Walthill Elementary School vs. Pender Elementary School
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