Top Rankings
Bismarck 1 School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 4,289 students in Bismarck 1 School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public high schools in North Dakota.
Public High Schools in Bismarck 1 School District have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the North Dakota public high school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Public High School in Bismarck 1 School District have a Graduation Rate of 88%, which is more than the North Dakota average of 79%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Century High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Dakota or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the North Dakota public high school average of 29% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (ND)
# Schools
29 Schools
184 Schools
# Students
14,086 Students
40,481 Students
# Teachers
970 Teachers
3,412 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Bismarck 1 School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 163 school districts in North Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 88% has decreased from 89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#77 out of 167 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
39%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
44%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
44%
Graduation Rate
88%
85%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)15.5%
20.9%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.43
0.47
% American Indian
7%
12%
% Asian
2%
1%
% Hispanic
5%
6%
% Black
3%
5%
% White
75%
72%
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,475 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,517. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,291 is less than the state median of $17,519. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$218 MM
$2,154 MM
Spending
$215 MM
$2,154 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,475
$17,517
Spending / Student
$15,291
$17,519
Best Bismarck 1 School District Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Century High School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1000 E Century Ave
Bismarck, ND 58503
(701) 323-4900
Bismarck, ND 58503
(701) 323-4900
Gr: 9-12 | 1,406 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #22.
South Central Alternative High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
406 S Anderson St
Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 323-4520
Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 323-4520
Gr: 9-12 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #33.
Bismarck High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
800 N 8th St
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 323-4800
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 323-4800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,367 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #44.
Legacy High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3400 E Calgary Ave
Bismarck, ND 58503
(701) 323-4850
Bismarck, ND 58503
(701) 323-4850
Gr: 9-12 | 1,419 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: n/an/a
806 N Washington St
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 323-4101
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 323-4101
Gr: 9-12
Recent Articles
How to Read a School Improvement Plan Before Choosing a School
Learn how to read a school improvement plan, identify meaningful goals, and evaluate whether a school's improvement efforts align with your child's educational needs.
Should You Move for a Better Public School? A Cost vs. Benefit Analysis
Considering a move to a better public school? Explore the financial, academic, and lifestyle tradeoffs before making one of your family's biggest decisions.
When a Higher-Rated School Isn't the Better Fit
Discover why the highest-rated public school may not always be the best choice and learn how to evaluate schools based on your child's unique needs.
