Burleigh County Schools & Education
Burleigh County, North Dakota
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
64/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Midrange Signal
Graduation Rate
90.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 84.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,868
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,385
School Score
64/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 54/100
State Score Position
#11
of 53 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Burleigh County
Measured School Summary
Burleigh County performs at an average level with a school score of 64/100 and a solid graduation rate of 90.0%.
Funding Context
Burleigh County spends $8,868 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 18% above the North Dakota average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 5.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Burleigh County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
36 public schools and 7 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
64/100
Mixed county signal. Ranks #11 of 53 North Dakota counties with school score data.
Completion
90.0%
5.2 pts above the state average
Funding context
$8,868
$517 below the state average
School coverage
36
7 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Burleigh County has 36 public schools across 7 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Burleigh County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Dominant-district county
BISMARCK 1 carries most of the listed public-school system, with 29 of 36 schools. Start there, then verify whether your target address sits inside that district slice.
State position
#11
of 53 North Dakota counties with school score data. The county score is 10 points above the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
BISMARCK 1
Elementary to high school visible
13,964 students
29 listed schools in this county slice.
WING 28
Elementary and high visible
76 students
2 listed schools in this county slice.
APPLE CREEK 39
Elementary school only in this slice
68 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
MENOKEN 33
Elementary school only in this slice
58 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
District reality check
BISMARCK 1 is the largest listed district slice, with 29 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Burleigh County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Burleigh County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Burleigh County, North Dakota
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
A Large and Diverse Urban System
As a major population center, Burleigh County serves 14,238 students across 36 public schools. This robust network includes 25 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 6 high schools across seven districts.
High Performance and Efficient Spending
The county achieves an impressive 90.0% graduation rate, significantly higher than both the state and national averages. It maintains this success with a per-pupil spend of $8,868, which is more efficient than the state average of $9,385.
Bismarck 1 Manages the Majority
Bismarck 1 is the massive primary district, overseeing 29 schools and 13,964 students. The county contains no charter schools, meaning nearly all students are part of this large, centralized public system.
From Urban Centers to Rural Outposts
The county features 24 city-based schools and 12 rural campuses, with an average school size of 431. Century High is the largest with 1,427 students, while the Naughton district provides a tiny rural alternative with just 32 students.
School Overview
Total Schools
36
in Burleigh County
Reported Enrollment
14,238
36 schools reporting
School Districts
7
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
7 School Districts in Burleigh County
BISMARCK 1
GuideWING 28
APPLE CREEK 39
MENOKEN 33
NAUGHTON 25
MANNING 45
STERLING 35
36 Public Schools in Burleigh County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 6 high-enrollment schools; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 20 of 36 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL | Profile | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58503City: Small | 9–12 | High | 1,427 |
| LEGACY HIGH SCHOOL | Profile | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58503City: Small | 9–12 | High | 1,418 |
| BISMARCK HIGH SCHOOL | Profile | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58501City: Small | 9–12 | High | 1,333 |
| HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL | Profile | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58503City: Small | 6–8 | Middle | 1,044 |
| SIMLE MIDDLE SCHOOL | Profile | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58501City: Small | 6–8 | Middle | 1,040 |
| WACHTER MIDDLE SCHOOL | Profile | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58504City: Small | 6–8 | Middle | 1,000 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Lincoln, 58504Rural: Fringe | KG–5 | Primary | 650 |
| VICTOR SOLHEIM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58504City: Small | KG–5 | Primary | 560 |
| LIBERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58503Rural: Fringe | KG–5 | Primary | 496 |
| SUNRISE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58503City: Small | KG–5 | Primary | 490 |
| ELK RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58503Rural: Fringe | KG–5 | Primary | 482 |
| ROBERT PLACE MILLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58501City: Small | KG–5 | Primary | 479 |
| NORTHRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58501City: Small | KG–5 | Primary | 425 |
| RITA MURPHY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58501City: Small | KG–5 | Primary | 393 |
| CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58503City: Small | KG–5 | Primary | 382 |
| DOROTHY MOSES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58504City: Small | KG–5 | Primary | 371 |
| SILVER RANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58503Rural: Fringe | KG–5 | Primary | 361 |
| BECEP CENTER | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58501City: Small | PK | Other | 332 |
| JEANNETTE MYHRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58504City: Small | KG–5 | Primary | 254 |
| PIONEER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Record | BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck, 58501City: Small | KG–5 | Primary | 213 |
CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL
BISMARCK 1
Bismarck, 58503 / City: Small
LEGACY HIGH SCHOOL
BISMARCK 1
Bismarck, 58503 / City: Small
BISMARCK HIGH SCHOOL
BISMARCK 1
Bismarck, 58501 / City: Small
HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL
BISMARCK 1
Bismarck, 58503 / City: Small
SIMLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
BISMARCK 1
Bismarck, 58501 / City: Small
WACHTER MIDDLE SCHOOL
BISMARCK 1
Bismarck, 58504 / City: Small
VICTOR SOLHEIM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BISMARCK 1
Bismarck, 58504 / City: Small
ROBERT PLACE MILLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BISMARCK 1
Bismarck, 58501 / City: Small
SILVER RANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BISMARCK 1
Bismarck, 58503 / Rural: Fringe
JEANNETTE MYHRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BISMARCK 1
Bismarck, 58504 / City: Small
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,868
State avg $9,385
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Burleigh County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which North Dakota counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in North Dakota?
How should I read the school score in Burleigh County?
What is the graduation rate in Burleigh County?
How much does Burleigh County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Burleigh County, North Dakota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Burleigh County, North Dakota?
As a major population center, Burleigh County serves 14,238 students across 36 public schools. This robust network includes 25 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 6 high schools across seven districts.
How do schools in Burleigh County perform academically?
The county achieves an impressive 90.0% graduation rate, significantly higher than both the state and national averages. It maintains this success with a per-pupil spend of $8,868, which is more efficient than the state average of $9,385.
What are the major school districts in Burleigh County, North Dakota?
Bismarck 1 is the massive primary district, overseeing 29 schools and 13,964 students. The county contains no charter schools, meaning nearly all students are part of this large, centralized public system.
What is the school experience like in Burleigh County?
The county features 24 city-based schools and 12 rural campuses, with an average school size of 431. Century High is the largest with 1,427 students, while the Naughton district provides a tiny rural alternative with just 32 students.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.