North Dakota is the #44 largest school system in the United States, serving 122,894 students across the 531 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 59 private schools, serving 11,880 students). 91% of all K-12 students in North Dakota attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in North Dakota is 39%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 44%.
The top-ranked public schools in North Dakota are Sweet Briar School, Demores Elementary School, and Longfellow Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
There are 33 Blue Ribbon Schools. Minority enrollment is 30%, with the majority being American Indian or Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in North Dakota (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Sweet Briar School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥80% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
4060 County Rd 83
Mandan, ND 58554
(701) 663-7453
Mandan, ND 58554
(701) 663-7453
Rank: #22.
Demores Elementary School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-8
350 Broadway
Medora, ND 58645
(701) 623-4868
Medora, ND 58645
(701) 623-4868
Rank: #33.
Longfellow Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
20 29th Ave Ne
Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 446-5000
Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 446-5000
Rank: #44.
North Border-walhalla Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-8
605 10th St
Walhalla, ND 58282
(701) 549-3751
Walhalla, ND 58282
(701) 549-3751
Rank: #55.
Prairie Rose Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 70-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 60-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
2200 Oahe Bend
Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 323-4280
Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 323-4280
Rank: #66.
Linton Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-8
101 Ne 3rd St
Linton, ND 58552
(701) 254-4138
Linton, ND 58552
(701) 254-4138
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Hebron Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-6
400 Church Ave
Hebron, ND 58638
(701) 878-4442
Hebron, ND 58638
(701) 878-4442
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Scranton Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-6
1st And Fries
Scranton, ND 58653
(701) 275-8266
Scranton, ND 58653
(701) 275-8266
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
William S Gussner Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-64% (Top 10%)
Grades: PK-5
1509 4th St Ne
Jamestown, ND 58402
(701) 252-3846
Jamestown, ND 58402
(701) 252-3846
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Carrington High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-64% (Top 10%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: 7-12
100 3rd Ave S
Carrington, ND 58421
(701) 652-3136
Carrington, ND 58421
(701) 652-3136
Overview
This State (ND)
US
# Schools
531 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
122,894 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
10,611 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (ND)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
43%
Graduation Rate
83.2%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
27%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.50
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
13,017 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
11%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
1,943 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
1%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
9,332 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
8%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
6,815 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
5%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
85,663 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
70%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
420 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
5,710 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (ND)
Statewide Total Revenue
$2,384 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$2,451 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$19,402
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$19,941
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best North Dakota Public Schools by County (2026-27)
Popular neighborhoods: Carl Ben (3 schools), Downtown (3 schools), Lewis And Clark (2 schools), Washington (2 schools), Bennett (1 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in North Dakota?
The top-ranked public schools in North Dakota include Sweet Briar School, Demores Elementary School, and Longfellow Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in North Dakota?
531 public schools are located in North Dakota.
What percentage of students in North Dakota go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in North Dakota attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in North Dakota?
Minority enrollment in North Dakota is 30%, with the majority being American Indian or Hispanic.
Which public schools in North Dakota are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in North Dakota include: Scranton High School vs. Bowman Co High School, Beulah High School vs. Hazen High School, Alexander Elementary School vs. Badlands Elementary School
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