Is Ponca High School a good school?

Yes! Ponca High School is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 9 th of 215 Nebraska high schools.

How many students attend Ponca High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 190 students attended Ponca High School.

What is the racial makeup of Ponca High School?

Students at Ponca High School are 93% White, 4% Hispanic, 2% African American.

What schools feed into Ponca High School?

Ponca High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Jackson Elementary Elementary : Ponca Elementary School

Ponca High School

Summary:

Ponca High School is a public high school 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 13th out of 212 districts in Nebraska and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Ponca High School consistently ranks among the top high schools in Nebraska, reaching as high as 4th out of 202 schools in 2021-2022. The school's students perform exceptionally well on standardized tests, with 67.57% of 11th-grade students proficient or better in ACT English Language Arts, 67.57% in ACT Mathematics, and 37.84% in ACT Science in 2022-2023 - significantly higher than the state averages. Ponca High School also excels in NSCAS (Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System) tests, with 7th and 8th-grade students scoring well above the state averages. Despite having a relatively low percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, the school's low-socioeconomic status (SES) students rank 1st out of 89 Nebraska high schools in 2022-2023, indicating that the school is highly effective in supporting and educating students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

When compared to nearby schools like South Sioux High School and Allen High School, Ponca High School significantly outperforms both on standardized tests. However, South Sioux High School has a much more diverse student population, with a majority Hispanic student body and significant representation of African American, Asian, and Native American students, while Ponca High School and Allen High School have predominantly white student populations.

Detail:

Public 7-12

505 3rd St
Ponca, NE 68770-0568

(402) 755-5701

District: Ponca Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
9^th of 215 Nebraska High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $19,299

Feeder schools for Ponca High School:

Elementary:	Jackson Elementary
	Ponca Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 10.2

Number of students: 190

Racial breakdown:

White:

93.2%

Hispanic:

3.7%

African American:

2.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 19.5%

See top rated Nebraska high schools

Compare Ponca High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Ponca High School ranks better than 76.9% of middle schools in Nebraska. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 73.16. (See more...)

Compare Details Ponca High School ranks better than 95.8% of high schools in Nebraska. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 91.7. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (93.2%), Hispanic (3.7%), African American (2.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 19.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ponca High School is 10.2. (See more...)

Compare Ponca High School employs 18.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ponca High School is $19,299.

Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Ponca High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Ponca High School 54^th of 234 Nebraska public middle schools. (See Ponca High School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Male students:

White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Ponca High School 9^th of 215 Nebraska public high schools. (See Ponca High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

White students:

Ponca Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Ponca Public Schools 13^th of 212 Nebraska school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Your rating for Ponca High School?

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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
2006	35.60	182^nd	226	19.5%
2007	36.84	171^st	227	24.7%
2008	59.39	108^th	245	55.9%
2009	71.00	30^th	243	87.7%
2010	50.78	147^th	254	42.1%
2011	27.62	205^th	246	16.7%
2012	13.11	242^nd	255	5.1%
2013	22.21	224^th	248	9.7%
2014	66.10	70^th	252	72.2%
2015	67.38	64^th	256	75.0%
2016	68.09	65^th	255	74.5%
2017	55.08	104^th	236	55.9%
2018	90.56	8^th	225	96.4%
2019	93.72	4^th	247	98.4%
2021	76.71	32^nd	223	85.7%
2022	51.41	122^nd	249	51.0%
2023	73.16	55^th	238	76.9%

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	39^th	147	73.5%
2022	71.00	31^st	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
2018	87.76	7^th	141	95.0%
2019	85.87	11^th	153	92.8%
2021	63.97	45^th	144	68.8%
2022	32.98	116^th	160	27.5%
2023	74.12	35^th	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
2018	86.97	12^th	203	94.1%
2019	91.80	5^th	222	97.7%
2021	70.40	40^th	204	80.4%
2022	48.05	122^nd	234	47.9%
2023	67.56	63^rd	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

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
2006	45.16	174^th	249	30.1%
2007	75.92	30^th	247	87.9%
2008	52.86	147^th	252	41.7%
2009	36.68	197^th	251	21.5%
2010	51.31	143^rd	249	42.6%
2011	59.23	101^st	252	59.9%
2012	29.50	201^st	245	18.0%
2013	31.71	191^st	247	22.7%
2014	70.77	69^th	247	72.1%
2015	43.64	154^th	242	36.4%
2016	56.19	118^th	246	52.0%
2017	87.54	16^th	219	92.7%
2018	89.09	16^th	219	92.7%
2019	95.49	6^th	217	97.2%
2021	88.29	19^th	209	90.9%
2022	95.98	4^th	202	98.0%
2023	91.70	9^th	215	95.8%

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	5^th	79	93.7%
2023	99.10	1^st	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
2018	87.80	13^th	144	91.0%
2019	94.76	6^th	142	95.8%
2021	58.05	57^th	138	58.7%
2022	94.75	6^th	132	95.5%
2023	84.38	19^th	136	86.0%

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
2018	79.94	23^rd	138	83.3%
2019	89.60	9^th	140	93.6%
2021	95.35	6^th	130	95.4%
2022	92.01	11^th	135	91.9%
2023	91.05	8^th	135	94.1%

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
2018	91.73	8^th	205	96.1%
2019	91.71	11^th	207	94.7%
2021	80.47	30^th	200	85.0%
2022	94.96	5^th	196	97.4%
2023	87.98	13^th	206	93.7%

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.

Data source: Nebraska Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Ponca High School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	166	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	166
1989	178	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	178
1990	167	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	167
1991	168	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	168
1992	161	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	161
1993	169	0	1	0	2	n/a	n/a	172
1994	180	0	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	181
1995	189	0	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	192
1996	189	0	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	192
1997	195	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	195
1998	200	0	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	201
1999	200	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	200
2000	213	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	213
2001	208	1	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	209
2002	220	2	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	222
2003	220	2	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	222
2004	208	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	208
2005	200	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	200
2006	199	0	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	201
2007	185	7	0	4	3	n/a	n/a	199
2008	178	8	1	7	5	n/a	n/a	199
2009	165	9	1	9	4	n/a	n/a	188
2010	170	6	1	13	3	n/a	n/a	193
2011	170	4	1	15	0	0	0	190
2012	170	3	1	14	0	0	0	188
2013	190	4	1	9	0	0	0	204
2014	187	3	0	9	0	0	2	201
2015	200	1	2	6	2	0	1	212
2016	202	1	2	3	1	0	3	212
2017	207	1	2	4	0	0	2	216
2018	206	1	2	5	0	0	0	214
2019	198	2	2	8	0	0	1	211
2020	192	2	2	8	1	0	2	207
2021	179	3	0	8	1	0	3	194
2022	187	5	1	7	1	0	0	201
2023	177	4	1	7	1	0	0	190

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

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

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

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

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

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total 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 4^th of 247 Middle schools	Ranks 55^th of 238 Middle schools	21.5%
Ranks 6^th of 217 High schools	Ranks 9^th 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)	70	67	3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Ponca Public Schools)	70	67	3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)	49	54	5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Ponca High School)	75	80	5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Ponca Public Schools)	75	80	5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)	48	66	18%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Ponca High School)	75	75
8th Grade English Language Arts (Ponca Public Schools)	75	75
8th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)	50	62	12%
8th Grade Mathematics (Ponca High School)	71	69	2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Ponca Public Schools)	71	69	2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)	47	61	14%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Ponca High School)	75	67.6	7.4%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Ponca Public Schools)	75	67.6	7.4%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)	37.4	33.4	4.1%
11th Grade Mathematics (Ponca High School)	55.6	67.6	12%
11th Grade Mathematics (Ponca Public Schools)	55.6	67.6	12%
11th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)	30.9	26.2	4.6%
11th Grade Science (Ponca High School)	47.2	37.8	9.4%
11th Grade Science (Ponca Public Schools)	47.2	37.8	9.4%
11th Grade Science (Nebraska)	26.4	25.3	1.1%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	211	190	10%
African American	2	4	100%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	2	1	50%
Hispanic	8	7	12.5%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	198	177	10.6%
Two or More Races	1	0	100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	22.3%	19.5%	2.8%

Schools Near Ponca High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2023)				Ranking (2022)				NSCAS English Language Arts (2023)		NSCAS Mathematics (2023)		NSCAS Science (2023)	ACT English Language Arts (2023)	ACT Mathematics (2023)	ACT Science (2023)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	SchoolDigger Rating (2023)	Average Standard Score (2022)	Statewide Rank (2022)	State Percentile (2022)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NSCAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	NSCAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	NSCAS Mathematics 7th Grade	NSCAS Mathematics 8th Grade	NSCAS Science 8th Grade	ACT English Language Arts 11th Grade	ACT Mathematics 11th Grade	ACT Science 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Ponca High School	Public	7-12	505 3rd St	Ponca	68770	Dixon County	Ponca Public Schools	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(402) 755-5701	190	18	10.2	19.5%	177 (93.2%)	4 (2.1%)	7 (3.7%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	91.7	9^th of 215 public high schools	95.8%		96	4^th of 202 public high schools	98.0%	5	67.0	75.0	80.0	69.0	78.0	67.6	67.6	37.8	$19,299	$153	$16,050
Allen High School	Public	7-12	126 E 5th	Allen	68710	Dixon County	Allen Consolidated Schools	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(402) 635-2484	67	9	7.0	47.8%	59 (88.1%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (11.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)									$33,331	$1,109	$31,363
South Sioux High School	Public	9-12	3301 G St	South Sioux City	68776	Dakota County	So Sioux City Community Schools	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(402) 494-2433	1,149	71	16.1	62.9%	176 (15.3%)	93 (8.1%)	756 (65.8%)	42 (3.7%)	28 (2.4%)	15 (1.3%)	39 (3.4%)	15.6	190^th of 215 public high schools	11.6%		17.5	175^th of 202 public high schools	13.4%	15						26.8	14.1	13.8	$15,084	$886	$12,732

Ponca High School

Ponca High School:

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Ponca Public Schools:

What do you think?

Rank History for Ponca High School

Rank History for all middle school students at Ponca High School

Rank History for middle school Female students at Ponca High School

Rank History for middle school Male students at Ponca High School

Rank History for middle school White students at Ponca High School

Rank History for Ponca High School

Rank History for all high school students at Ponca High School

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

Rank History for high school Female students at Ponca High School

Rank History for high school Male students at Ponca High School

Rank History for high school White students at Ponca High School

Enrollment information for Ponca High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ponca High School

Student/Teacher Ratio Ponca High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ponca High School

Impact of COVID-19 on Ponca High School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Ponca High School