For the 2025-26 school year, there are 27 blue ribbon public elementary schools serving 6,556 students in North Dakota.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in North Dakota are Longfellow Elementary School, William S Gussner Elementary School and Central Valley Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
North Dakota blue ribbon public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the North Dakota public elementary school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Dakota public elementary school average of 30% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Elementary Schools in North Dakota (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Longfellow Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
20 29th Ave Ne
Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 446-5000
Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 446-5000
Gr: K-5 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
William S Gussner Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1509 4th St Ne
Jamestown, ND 58402
(701) 252-3846
Jamestown, ND 58402
(701) 252-3846
Gr: PK-5 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #33.
Central Valley Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1556 Highway 81 Ne
Buxton, ND 58218
(701) 847-2220
Buxton, ND 58218
(701) 847-2220
Gr: PK-6 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #44.
Red Trail Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4801 37th Ave Nw
Mandan, ND 58554
(701) 751-6508
Mandan, ND 58554
(701) 751-6508
Gr: PK-5 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #55.
Kindred Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
55 1st Ave S
Kindred, ND 58051
(701) 428-3177
Kindred, ND 58051
(701) 428-3177
Gr: PK-6 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #66.
Carrington Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
100 3rd Ave S
Carrington, ND 58421
(701) 652-2739
Carrington, ND 58421
(701) 652-2739
Gr: PK-6 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #77.
Thompson Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
424 3rd St
Thompson, ND 58278
(701) 599-2765
Thompson, ND 58278
(701) 599-2765
Gr: PK-6 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #88.
Memorial Middle School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1 Rocket Rd
Minot Afb, ND 58704
(701) 727-3300
Minot Afb, ND 58704
(701) 727-3300
Gr: 6-8 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #99.
Richland Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
106 Broadway
Abercrombie, ND 58001
(701) 553-8321
Abercrombie, ND 58001
(701) 553-8321
Gr: PK-6 | 179 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Harwood Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
110 Freedland Dr
Harwood, ND 58042
(701) 356-2040
Harwood, ND 58042
(701) 356-2040
Gr: K-5 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Mls-mohall Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
101 3rd St Nw
Mohall, ND 58761
(701) 756-6660
Mohall, ND 58761
(701) 756-6660
Gr: PK-6 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1212.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
201 1st Ave Se
Beach, ND 58621
(701) 872-4253
Beach, ND 58621
(701) 872-4253
Gr: PK-6 | 144 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1313.
Sweetwater Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1304 2nd Ave Ne
Devils Lake, ND 58301
(701) 662-7630
Devils Lake, ND 58301
(701) 662-7630
Gr: 1-2 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1414.
Nathan Twining Middle School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1422 N Louisiana St
Grand Forks Afb, ND 58204
(701) 787-5100
Grand Forks Afb, ND 58204
(701) 787-5100
Gr: 6-8 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1515.
Highland Acres Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1200 Prairie Dr
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 323-4160
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 323-4160
Gr: K-5 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1616.
Bob Callies Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
205 2nd Ave Ne
Garrison, ND 58540
(701) 463-2213
Garrison, ND 58540
(701) 463-2213
Gr: PK-6 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1717.
Taylor-richardton Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
306 Ertel Ave
Taylor, ND 58656
(701) 974-3585
Taylor, ND 58656
(701) 974-3585
Gr: PK-4 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
New Rockford-sheyenne Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
437 1st Ave N
New Rockford, ND 58356
(701) 947-5036
New Rockford, ND 58356
(701) 947-5036
Gr: PK-6 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Wyndmere Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
101 Date Ave
Wyndmere, ND 58081
(701) 439-2287
Wyndmere, ND 58081
(701) 439-2287
Gr: PK-6 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #2020.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
613 W Avenue B
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 323-4240
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 323-4240
Gr: K-5 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #2121.
Manvel Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
801 Oldham Ave
Manvel, ND 58256
(701) 696-2212
Manvel, ND 58256
(701) 696-2212
Gr: PK-8 | 181 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #2222.
Valley-edinburg Elementary School-crystal
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4013 Euclid Ave
Crystal, ND 58222
(701) 657-2163
Crystal, ND 58222
(701) 657-2163
Gr: 3-6 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #2323.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
510 8th Ave Sw
Valley City, ND 58072
(701) 845-0849
Valley City, ND 58072
(701) 845-0849
Gr: 4-6 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #2424.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
305 10th Ave Nw
Mandan, ND 58554
(701) 751-6507
Mandan, ND 58554
(701) 751-6507
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2525.
Freedom Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
401 26th Ave E
West Fargo, ND 58078
(701) 356-5221
West Fargo, ND 58078
(701) 356-5221
Gr: K-5 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2626.
Phoenix Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
351 4th Ave S
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 746-2240
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 746-2240
Gr: PK-5 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2727.
Badlands Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
300 3rd St Se
Watford City, ND 58854
(701) 444-3626
Watford City, ND 58854
(701) 444-3626
Gr: K-5 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in North Dakota?
The top ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in North Dakota include Longfellow Elementary School, William S Gussner Elementary School and Central Valley Elementary School.
How many blue ribbon public elementary schools are located in North Dakota?
27 blue ribbon public elementary schools are located in North Dakota.
What is the racial composition of students in North Dakota?
North Dakota blue ribbon public elementary schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Dakota public elementary schools average of 30% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Recent Articles

School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.

Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.

Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.