Thurston County Schools & Education
Thurston County, Nebraska
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
53/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
75.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
75.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.9%
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,208
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,521
School Score
53/100
Higher = better
State avg 64/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#67
of 93 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Thurston County
School Verdict
Thurston County has average school quality (score: 53/100) with a graduation rate of 75.9%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
With $16,208 per pupil, Thurston County has adequate funding that generally covers core educational needs and some supplemental services.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Thurston County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 18% below the Nebraska average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 11.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 54% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Thurston County, Nebraska
Robust Public Schooling in Thurston County
Thurston County supports a large student population of 2,116 through 11 public schools and five districts. The diverse infrastructure includes four elementary, two middle, and five high schools.
Significant Funding and Competitive Scores
The county invests a high $16,208 per pupil, well above the national average of $13,000. This funding supports a school score of 66.0, which beats the state average of 59.1, despite a lower graduation rate of 75.9%.
Umo N Ho N Nation and Pender Districts
Umo N Ho N Nation Public Schools is the largest district with 631 students, followed by Pender Public Schools with 443. The county relies on its five public districts and currently hosts zero charter schools.
Rural Schools with Mid-Size Enrollment
All 11 campuses are rural, but they maintain a healthy average enrollment of 192 students. Winnebago Elementary is the county's largest school with 429 students, while Pender High School serves 182.
High-Investment Schools for Thurston Families
Thurston County stands out for its high per-pupil spending and above-average school scores. Families researching homes in Pender or Winnebago will find a district network that is better funded than most in the state.
School Overview
Total Schools
11
in Thurston County
Total Enrollment
2,116
students
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
5 School Districts in Thurston County
UMO N HO N NATION PUBLIC SCHS
WINNEBAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT 17
PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
WALTHILL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
EMERSON-HUBBARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
11 Public Schools in Thurston County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WINNEBAGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WINNEBAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT 17 | PK–8 | Primary | 429 |
| UMO N HO N NATION ELEM SCHOOL | UMO N HO N NATION PUBLIC SCHS | PK–5 | Primary | 368 |
| PENDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 261 |
| WINNEBAGO HIGH SCHOOL | WINNEBAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT 17 | 9–12 | High | 200 |
| PENDER HIGH SCHOOL | PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 182 |
| WALTHILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WALTHILL PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 158 |
| UMO N HO N NATION HIGH SCHOOL | UMO N HO N NATION PUBLIC SCHS | 9–12 | High | 150 |
| WALTHILL HIGH SCHOOL | WALTHILL PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 123 |
| UMO N HO N NATION MIDDLE SCH | UMO N HO N NATION PUBLIC SCHS | 6–8 | Middle | 113 |
| EMERSON-HUBBARD HIGH SCHOOL | EMERSON-HUBBARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 66 |
| EMERSON-HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL | EMERSON-HUBBARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 66 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$16,208
State avg $10,521
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Thurston County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Thurston County?
How much does Thurston County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Thurston County, Nebraska — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Thurston County, Nebraska?
Thurston County supports a large student population of 2,116 through 11 public schools and five districts. The diverse infrastructure includes four elementary, two middle, and five high schools.
How do schools in Thurston County perform academically?
The county invests a high $16,208 per pupil, well above the national average of $13,000. This funding supports a school score of 66.0, which beats the state average of 59.1, despite a lower graduation rate of 75.9%.
What are the major school districts in Thurston County, Nebraska?
Umo N Ho N Nation Public Schools is the largest district with 631 students, followed by Pender Public Schools with 443. The county relies on its five public districts and currently hosts zero charter schools.
What is the school experience like in Thurston County?
All 11 campuses are rural, but they maintain a healthy average enrollment of 192 students. Winnebago Elementary is the county's largest school with 429 students, while Pender High School serves 182.
How can I find homes near good schools in Thurston County, Nebraska?
Thurston County stands out for its high per-pupil spending and above-average school scores. Families researching homes in Pender or Winnebago will find a district network that is better funded than most in the state.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.