Top Rankings
Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 2 public schools serving 182 students in Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in North Dakota.
Public Schools in Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the North Dakota public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the North Dakota public school average of 30% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (ND)
# Schools
2 Schools
531 Schools
# Students
182 Students
122,894 Students
# Teachers
22 Teachers
10,611 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
8:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District, which is ranked within the bottom 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 60-79% has increased from 50% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#94 out of 167 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
39%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
44%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-69%
44%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)60-79%
85%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)10.1%
20.9%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.10
0.50
% American Indian
2%
11%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
n/a
8%
% Black
n/a
5%
% White
95%
70%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $20,879 is higher than the state median of $19,402. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,280 is less than the state median of $19,941. The school district spending/student has declined by 9% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$4 MM
$2,384 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$2,451 MM
Revenue / Student
$20,879
$19,402
Spending / Student
$19,280
$19,941
Best Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Turtle Lake-mercer High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
250 3rd Ave W
Turtle Lake, ND 58575
(701) 448-2365
Turtle Lake, ND 58575
(701) 448-2365
Gr: 7-12 | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #22.
Turtle Lake-mercer Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
250 3rd Ave W
Turtle Lake, ND 58575
(701) 448-2365
Turtle Lake, ND 58575
(701) 448-2365
Gr: PK-6 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District?
Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District manages 2 public schools serving 182 students.
What is the rank of Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District?
Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District is ranked #94 out of 163 school districts in North Dakota (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Dakota school districts for: Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
What is the racial composition of students in Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District?
95% of Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District students are White, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District?
Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District has a student/teacher ratio of 8:1, which is lower than the North Dakota state average of 12:1.
What is Turtle Lake-Mercer 72 School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $19,280 is less than the state median of $19,941. The school district spending/student has declined by 9% over four school years.
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
