The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a county which have placed in the top 10% of all schools statewide.
A school's overall rank is based on its combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Schools are ranked and compared within their own state only.
Statewide Range: 20%
40%
Avg. Statewide: 29%
Top-Ranked Counties With Best Public Schools in North Dakota (2026-27)
County
% of Schools in
Top 10% Statewide
Top 10% Statewide
Top-Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #11.
40%
(4 out of 10)
(4 out of 10)
- Central Valley Elementary School
Rank: #11 of 449 (Top 5%)
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%) - Central Valley High School
Rank: #18 of 449 (Top 5%)
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%) - Peter Boe Jr Elementary School
Rank: #29 of 449 (Top 10%)
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Traill County, ND Schools
Rank: #22.
27%
(3 out of 11)
(3 out of 11)
- North Border-walhalla Elementary School
Rank: #4 of 449 (Top 1%)
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%) - Cavalier High School
Rank: #23 of 449 (Top 10%)
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%) - North Border-pembina Elementary School
Rank: #25 of 449 (Top 10%)
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Pembina County, ND Schools
Rank: #33.
20%
(3 out of 15)
(3 out of 15)
- Wahpeton Middle School
Rank: #28 of 449 (Top 10%)
(Math: 58% | Reading: 60%) - Hankinson Elementary School
Rank: #35 of 449 (Top 10%)
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%) - Richland Elementary School
Rank: #38 of 449 (Top 10%)
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Richland County, ND Schools
Recent Articles
Is Your Child's School Day Too Structured?
Discover where free time disappears during your child's school day, how to evaluate lunch, recess, and classroom schedules, and what parents can do when breaks become structured activities.
When Your Child's Best Friend Is in Another Class
Discover how to help your child when their best friend is assigned to another classroom, including school placement policies, maintaining friendships, building connections, and knowing when to request help.
Should Your Child Repeat a Grade or Move Ahead?
Before agreeing to grade retention, learn what evidence to request, how to review school policies, explore alternatives, understand parental rights, and secure an effective academic support plan for your child.