For the 2025-26 school year, there are 4 public middle schools serving 893 students in Thurston County, NE.
The top ranked public middle schools in Thurston County, NE are Pender High School, Walthill High School and Winnebago Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Thurston County, NE public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Nebraska public middle school average of 61%), and reading proficiency score of 24% (versus the 44% statewide average). Middle schools in Thurston County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Nebraska public middle school average of 34% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Thurston County (2025-26)
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.
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: #44.
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 middle schools in Thurston County, NE?
The top ranked public middle schools in Thurston County, NE include Pender High School, Walthill High School and Winnebago Elementary School.
How many public middle schools are located in Thurston County?
4 public middle schools are located in Thurston County.
What is the racial composition of students in Thurston County?
Thurston County public middle schools minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Nebraska public middle schools average of 34% (majority Hispanic).
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