For the 2026 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 (2026)
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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