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Ponca High School

Summary:

Ponca High School is a public high school located in Ponca, Nebraska, serving grades 7-12 with a total enrollment of 190 students. The school is part of the Ponca Public Schools district, which is ranked 5 out of 182 districts in Nebraska and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. Ponca High School has consistently been ranked among the top high schools in the state, with a current ranking of 1 out of 168 Nebraska high schools for the 2023-2024 school year.

Ponca High School has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, with consistently high proficiency rates on standardized tests. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in ACT/English Language Arts (83.33%), ACT/Mathematics (86.67%), and ACT/Science (90%) were significantly higher than the state averages (45.48%, 42.11%, and 48.8%, respectively). The school has also maintained impressive graduation rates, with a four-year graduation rate of 97.2% in the 2023-2024 school year, significantly higher than the state average. Ponca High School has consistently ranked among the top schools in Nebraska for various student subgroups, indicating that the school is effectively serving and supporting the diverse needs of its student population.

Compared to the nearby South Sioux High School, which is ranked 137 out of 168 Nebraska high schools, Ponca High School's academic performance and student outcomes significantly outshine those of its counterpart. Additionally, Ponca High School has a higher spending per student ($19,299 in 2022-2023) compared to South Sioux High School ($15,084 in 2022-2023), which may contribute to the school's academic success and student support. Ponca High School's consistent high ranking and 5-star rating from SchoolDigger demonstrate the school's ability to deliver excellent educational outcomes year after year.


Detail:

Public 7-12

 505 3rd St
       Ponca, NE  68770-0568

(402) 755-5701

District: Ponca Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
1st of 168 Nebraska High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $19,299 Help


Feeder schools for Ponca High School:

Elementary:    Jackson Elementary
    Ponca Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  11.0 Help
Number of students:  203

Racial breakdown:

White:
92.6%
Hispanic:
3.4%
African American:
2.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  20.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Ponca High School ranks better than 92.5% of middle schools in Nebraska. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 84.17. (See more...)
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Compare Details Ponca High School ranks better than 99.4% of high schools in Nebraska. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 97.4. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Ponca High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (92.6%), Hispanic (3.4%), African American (2.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 20.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ponca High School is 11. (See more...)
Help
Compare Ponca High School employs 18.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ponca High School is $19,299.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Ponca High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Ponca High School 15th of 200 Nebraska public middle schools. (See Ponca High School in the ranking list.)
SchoolDigger ranks Ponca High School 1st of 168 Nebraska public high schools. (See Ponca High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Ponca Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Ponca Public Schools 5th of 182 Nebraska school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Ponca High School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Ponca High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 35.60 182nd 226 19.5%
2007 36.84 171st 227 24.7%
2008 59.39 108th 245 55.9%
2009 71.00 30th 243 87.7%
2010 50.78 147th 254 42.1%
2011 27.62 205th 246 16.7%
2012 13.11 242nd 255 5.1%
2013 22.21 224th 248 9.7%
2014 66.10 70th 252 72.2%
2015 67.38 64th 256 75.0%
2016 68.09 65th 255 74.5%
2017 55.08 104th 236 55.9%
2018 90.56 8th 225 96.4%
2019 93.72 4th 247 98.4%
2021 76.71 32nd 223 85.7%
2022 51.41 122nd 249 51.0%
2023 73.16 55th 238 76.9%
2024 84.17 15th 200 92.5%
See the entire list of Nebraska High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Ponca High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 65.99 39th 147 73.5%
2022 71.00 31st 150 79.3%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Ponca High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 87.76 7th 141 95.0%
2019 85.87 11th 153 92.8%
2021 63.97 45th 144 68.8%
2022 32.98 116th 160 27.5%
2023 74.12 35th 156 77.6%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Ponca High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.97 12th 203 94.1%
2019 91.80 5th 222 97.7%
2021 70.40 40th 204 80.4%
2022 48.05 122nd 234 47.9%
2023 67.56 63rd 217 71.0%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Nebraska Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Ponca High School

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Compare

Rank History for all high school students at Ponca High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 45.16 174th 249 30.1%
2007 75.92 30th 247 87.9%
2008 52.86 147th 252 41.7%
2009 36.68 197th 251 21.5%
2010 51.31 143rd 249 42.6%
2011 59.23 101st 252 59.9%
2012 29.50 201st 245 18.0%
2013 31.71 191st 247 22.7%
2014 70.77 69th 247 72.1%
2015 43.64 154th 242 36.4%
2016 56.19 118th 246 52.0%
2017 87.54 16th 219 92.7%
2018 89.09 16th 219 92.7%
2019 95.49 6th 217 97.2%
2021 88.29 19th 209 90.9%
2022 95.98 4th 202 98.0%
2023 91.70 9th 215 95.8%
2024 97.40 1st 168 99.4%
See the entire list of Nebraska High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Ponca High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.42 5th 79 93.7%
2023 99.10 1st 89 98.9%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Ponca High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 87.80 13th 144 91.0%
2019 94.76 6th 142 95.8%
2021 58.05 57th 138 58.7%
2022 94.75 6th 132 95.5%
2023 84.38 19th 136 86.0%
2024 98.18 1st 93 98.9%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Ponca High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.94 23rd 138 83.3%
2019 89.60 9th 140 93.6%
2021 95.35 6th 130 95.4%
2022 92.01 11th 135 91.9%
2023 91.05 8th 135 94.1%
2024 96.87 1st 93 98.9%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Ponca High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.73 8th 205 96.1%
2019 91.71 11th 207 94.7%
2021 80.47 30th 200 85.0%
2022 94.96 5th 196 97.4%
2023 87.98 13th 206 93.7%
2024 98.48 2nd 125 98.4%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Nebraska Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Ponca High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Nebraska Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Ponca High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 166 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 166
1989 178 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 178
1990 167 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 167
1991 168 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 168
1992 161 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 161
1993 169 0 1 0 2 n/a n/a 0 172
1994 180 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 181
1995 189 0 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 192
1996 189 0 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 192
1997 195 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 195
1998 200 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 201
1999 200 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 200
2000 213 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 213
2001 208 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 209
2002 220 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 222
2003 220 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 222
2004 208 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 208
2005 200 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 200
2006 199 0 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 201
2007 185 7 0 4 3 n/a n/a 0 199
2008 178 8 1 7 5 n/a n/a 0 199
2009 165 9 1 9 4 n/a n/a 0 188
2010 170 6 1 13 3 n/a n/a 0 193
2011 170 4 1 15 0 0 0 0 190
2012 170 3 1 14 0 0 0 0 188
2013 190 4 1 9 0 0 0 0 204
2014 187 3 0 9 0 0 2 0 201
2015 200 1 2 6 2 0 1 0 212
2016 202 1 2 3 1 0 3 0 212
2017 207 1 2 4 0 0 2 0 216
2018 206 1 2 5 0 0 0 0 214
2019 198 2 2 8 0 0 1 0 211
2020 192 2 2 8 1 0 2 0 207
2021 179 3 0 8 1 0 3 0 194
2022 187 5 1 7 1 0 0 0 201
2023 177 4 1 7 1 0 0 0 190
2024 188 5 1 7 1 0 1 0 203

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ponca High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 166 14.2 11.6 18.1
1989 178 14.5 12.2 16.3
1990 167 14.4 11.5 15
1991 168 14.4 11.6 14.3
1992 161 14.9 10.8 11.8
1993 172 15.9 10.8 12.2
1994 181 16.6 10.9 9.9
1995 192 15.5 12.4 9.4
1996 192 15.5 12.4 9.4
1997 195 17.2 11.3 5.1
1998 201 17.2 11.7 6.5
1999 200 17.5 11.4 11
2000 213 17.0 12.5 12.2
2001 209 16.4 12.7 13.9
2002 222 18.6 11.9 13.1
2003 222 18.6 11.9 13.1
2004 208 19.7 10.6 16.8
2005 200 18.6 10.8 19
2006 201 18.4 10.9 19.9
2007 199 17.9 11.1 21.1
2008 199 14.8 13.4 20.6
2009 188 17.4 10.8 21.3
2010 193 17.5 11.0 22.8
2011 190 17.5 10.8 24.2
2012 188 15.2 12.3 26.1
2013 204 17.2 11.8 22.5
2014 201 17.0 11.8 29.9
2015 212 18.0 11.7 24.1
2016 212 19.0 11.1 18.9
2017 216 18.7 11.5 18.5
2018 214 19.1 11.1 17.3
2019 211 19.1 11.0 22.3
2020 207 19.1 10.8 21.3
2021 194 19.0 10.1 22.7
2022 201 18.4 10.8 12.4
2023 190 18.4 10.2 19.5
2024 203 18.4 11.0 20.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ponca High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 166 14.2 11.6 18.1
1989 178 14.5 12.2 16.3
1990 167 14.4 11.5 15
1991 168 14.4 11.6 14.3
1992 161 14.9 10.8 11.8
1993 172 15.9 10.8 12.2
1994 181 16.6 10.9 9.9
1995 192 15.5 12.4 9.4
1996 192 15.5 12.4 9.4
1997 195 17.2 11.3 5.1
1998 201 17.2 11.7 6.5
1999 200 17.5 11.4 11
2000 213 17.0 12.5 12.2
2001 209 16.4 12.7 13.9
2002 222 18.6 11.9 13.1
2003 222 18.6 11.9 13.1
2004 208 19.7 10.6 16.8
2005 200 18.6 10.8 19
2006 201 18.4 10.9 19.9
2007 199 17.9 11.1 21.1
2008 199 14.8 13.4 20.6
2009 188 17.4 10.8 21.3
2010 193 17.5 11.0 22.8
2011 190 17.5 10.8 24.2
2012 188 15.2 12.3 26.1
2013 204 17.2 11.8 22.5
2014 201 17.0 11.8 29.9
2015 212 18.0 11.7 24.1
2016 212 19.0 11.1 18.9
2017 216 18.7 11.5 18.5
2018 214 19.1 11.1 17.3
2019 211 19.1 11.0 22.3
2020 207 19.1 10.8 21.3
2021 194 19.0 10.1 22.7
2022 201 18.4 10.8 12.4
2023 190 18.4 10.2 19.5
2024 203 18.4 11.0 20.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ponca High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $232 (1.6%) $12,829 (88.4%) $14,517
2020 $85 (0.6%) $13,260 (89.2%) $14,866
2021 $486 (2.9%) $14,709 (87.4%) $16,829
2022 $481 (2.9%) $14,499 (87.6%) $16,560
2023 $153 (0.8%) $16,050 (83.2%) $19,299

Data source: Nebraska Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ponca High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 4th of 247 Middle schoolsRanks 55th of 238 Middle schools
 21.5%
Ranks 6th of 217 High schoolsRanks 9th of 215 High schools
 1.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (Ponca High School)7067
 3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Ponca Public Schools)7067
 3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)4954
 5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Ponca High School)7580
 5%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Ponca Public Schools)7580
 5%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)4866
 18%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Ponca High School)7575
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Ponca Public Schools)7575
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)5062
 12%
8th Grade Mathematics (Ponca High School)7169
 2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Ponca Public Schools)7169
 2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)4761
 14%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Ponca High School)7567.6
 7.4%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Ponca Public Schools)7567.6
 7.4%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)37.433.4
 4.1%
11th Grade Mathematics (Ponca High School)55.667.6
 12%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Ponca Public Schools)55.667.6
 12%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)30.926.2
 4.6%
11th Grade Science (Ponca High School)47.237.8
 9.4%
   11th Grade Science (Ponca Public Schools)47.237.8
 9.4%
   11th Grade Science (Nebraska)26.425.3
 1.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students211190
 10%
African American24
 100%
American Indian01
Asian21
 50%
Hispanic87
 12.5%
Pacific Islander00
White198177
 10.6%
Two or More Races10
 100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients22.3%19.5%
 2.8%

Schools Near Ponca High School








Frequently Asked Questions about Ponca High School

Students at Ponca High School are 93% White, 3% Hispanic, 2% African American.

Yes! Ponca High School is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 1st of 168 Nebraska high schools.

Ponca High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Jackson Elementary
Elementary : Ponca Elementary School

In the 2023-24 school year, 203 students attended Ponca High School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Nebraska Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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