Top 10 Best Richland County Public Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 2,411 students in Richland County, ND (there are 1 private school, serving 147 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Richland County, ND are educated in public schools (compared to the ND state average of 91%). Richland County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Dakota.
The top ranked public schools in Richland County, ND are Hankinson Elementary School, Wahpeton Middle School and Richland Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Richland County, ND public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the North Dakota public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 44% statewide average). Schools in Richland County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the North Dakota public school average of 29% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Richland County (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Hankinson Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
415 1st Ave Se
Hankinson, ND 58041
(701) 242-7516
Grades: PK-6
| 132 students
Rank: #22.
Wahpeton Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1265 12th St N
Wahpeton, ND 58074
(701) 642-6687
Grades: 6-8
| 275 students
Rank: #33.
Richland Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
106 Broadway
Abercrombie, ND 58001
(701) 553-8321
Grades: PK-6
| 179 students
Rank: #44.
Richland Junior-senior High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
101 Main Ave
Colfax, ND 58018
(701) 372-3713
Grades: 7-12
| 127 students
Rank: #55.
Wyndmere Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
101 Date Ave
Wyndmere, ND 58081
(701) 439-2287
Grades: PK-6
| 147 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Hankinson High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
415 1st Ave Se
Hankinson, ND 58041
(701) 242-7516
Grades: 7-12
| 111 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Lidgerwood High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
28 3rd Ave Se
Lidgerwood, ND 58053
(701) 538-7341
Grades: 7-12
| 81 students
Rank: #88.
Wyndmere High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
101 Date Ave
Wyndmere, ND 58081
(701) 439-2287
Grades: 7-12
| 116 students
Rank: #99.
Fairmount Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
400 E Main Ave
Fairmount, ND 58030
(701) 474-5469
Grades: PK-6
| 57 students
Rank: #1010.
Wahpeton Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1235 12th St N
Wahpeton, ND 58074
(701) 642-8328
Grades: 1-5
| 457 students
Rank: #1111.
Lidgerwood Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
28 3rd Ave Se
Lidgerwood, ND 58053
(701) 538-7341
Grades: PK-6
| 99 students
Rank: #1212.
Fairmount High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
400 E Main Ave
Fairmount, ND 58030
(701) 474-5469
Grades: 7-12
| 39 students
Rank: #1313.
Wahpeton High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1021 11th St N
Wahpeton, ND 58074
(701) 642-2604
Grades: 9-12
| 371 students
Rank: n/an/a
Circle Of Nations
832 8th Street North
Wahpeton, ND 58075
(701) 642-3796
Grades: 4-8
| 117 students
Rank: n/an/a
508 9 St N
Wahpeton, ND 58074
(701) 642-3050
Grades: PK-K
| 103 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Richland County, ND

Richland County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
Po Box 2
Mantador, ND 58058
(701) 242-8266
Grades: K-6
| 11 students
2101 9th St N
Wahpeton, ND 58075
(701) 642-8701
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
102 6th St Se
Hankinson, ND 58041
(701) 242-7031
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
2101 9th St N
Wahpeton, ND 58075
(701) 642-8701
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Wahpeton Spec Ed Unit (Closed 2020)
Special Education School
508 9th St N
Wahpeton, ND 58074
(701) 642-5499
Grades: n/a
| n/a students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Richland County, ND?
The top ranked public schools in Richland County, ND include Hankinson Elementary School, Wahpeton Middle School and Richland Elementary School. Richland County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Dakota.
How many public schools are located in Richland County?
15 public schools are located in Richland County.
What percentage of students in Richland County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Richland County are educated in public schools (compared to the ND state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Richland County?
Richland County public schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the North Dakota public schools average of 29% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).

Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.