McKenzie County Schools & Education
McKenzie County, North Dakota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
50/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
84.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
84.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 84.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,017
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,385
School Score
50/100
Higher = better
State avg 54/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#35
of 53 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: McKenzie County
School Verdict
McKenzie County has average school quality (score: 50/100) with a graduation rate of 84.4%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
McKenzie County spends $9,017 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for McKenzie County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 7% below the North Dakota average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 4% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in McKenzie County, North Dakota
A Growing Infrastructure for 2,600 Students
McKenzie County features 12 public schools serving a robust population of 2,608 students across 5 districts. The system includes 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools to accommodate various age groups. This infrastructure represents a significant educational hub for the western North Dakota region.
Educational Outcomes Meet State Standards
The county's graduation rate of 84.4% nearly mirrors the North Dakota state average of 84.8%. Spending per pupil sits at $9,017, slightly lower than the state average and well under the $13,000 national benchmark. Despite lower spending, the school score of 54.9 is slightly higher than the state average of 54.8.
McKenzie County 1 Leads Regional Growth
McKenzie Co 1 is the dominant district, serving 2,004 students across five schools in the Watford City area. Alexander 2 and Mandaree 36 provide additional options, serving 321 and 179 students respectively. There are currently no charter schools, as the traditional public system manages the entirety of the county's enrollment.
Rural Schools with Modern Capacity
While all 12 schools are classified as rural, they are much larger than those in neighboring counties with an average size of 217 students. Badlands Elementary is the largest campus, housing 566 students in a modern primary setting. In contrast, the smallest schools still maintain significant enrollment, reflecting the area's population growth.
Join a Vibrant and Growing Community
Families looking for a balance of rural charm and modern school facilities should focus their home search on Watford City. The area's education system is scaling to meet demand while maintaining solid academic performance. Consider making McKenzie County your home to benefit from this evolving educational landscape.
School Overview
Total Schools
12
in McKenzie County
Total Enrollment
2,608
students
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
5 School Districts in McKenzie County
MCKENZIE CO 1
ALEXANDER 2
MANDAREE 36
YELLOWSTONE 14
HORSE CREEK 32
12 Public Schools in McKenzie County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BADLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MCKENZIE CO 1 | PK–5 | Primary | 566 |
| FOX HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MCKENZIE CO 1 | KG–5 | Primary | 489 |
| WATFORD CITY HIGH SCHOOL | MCKENZIE CO 1 | 9–12 | High | 477 |
| WATFORD CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL | MCKENZIE CO 1 | 6–8 | Middle | 455 |
| ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | ALEXANDER 2 | PK–6 | Primary | 196 |
| MANDAREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MANDAREE 36 | PK–8 | Primary | 134 |
| ALEXANDER HIGH SCHOOL | ALEXANDER 2 | 7–12 | High | 125 |
| EAST FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | YELLOWSTONE 14 | KG–8 | Primary | 62 |
| MANDAREE HIGH SCHOOL | MANDAREE 36 | 9–12 | High | 45 |
| YELLOWSTONE VIRTUAL ACADEMY | YELLOWSTONE 14 | KG–8 | Primary | 30 |
| WOLVES CENTER ACADEMY | MCKENZIE CO 1 | 9–12 | High | 17 |
| HORSE CREEK SCHOOL | HORSE CREEK 32 | KG–8 | Primary | 12 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,017
State avg $9,385
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in McKenzie County rate?
What is the graduation rate in McKenzie County?
How much does McKenzie County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in McKenzie County, North Dakota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in McKenzie County, North Dakota?
McKenzie County features 12 public schools serving a robust population of 2,608 students across 5 districts. The system includes 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools to accommodate various age groups. This infrastructure represents a significant educational hub for the western North Dakota region.
How do schools in McKenzie County perform academically?
The county's graduation rate of 84.4% nearly mirrors the North Dakota state average of 84.8%. Spending per pupil sits at $9,017, slightly lower than the state average and well under the $13,000 national benchmark. Despite lower spending, the school score of 54.9 is slightly higher than the state average of 54.8.
What are the major school districts in McKenzie County, North Dakota?
McKenzie Co 1 is the dominant district, serving 2,004 students across five schools in the Watford City area. Alexander 2 and Mandaree 36 provide additional options, serving 321 and 179 students respectively. There are currently no charter schools, as the traditional public system manages the entirety of the county's enrollment.
What is the school experience like in McKenzie County?
While all 12 schools are classified as rural, they are much larger than those in neighboring counties with an average size of 217 students. Badlands Elementary is the largest campus, housing 566 students in a modern primary setting. In contrast, the smallest schools still maintain significant enrollment, reflecting the area's population growth.
How can I find homes near good schools in McKenzie County, North Dakota?
Families looking for a balance of rural charm and modern school facilities should focus their home search on Watford City. The area's education system is scaling to meet demand while maintaining solid academic performance. Consider making McKenzie County your home to benefit from this evolving educational landscape.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.