Ward County Schools & Education

Ward County, North Dakota

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

52/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

85.1%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

85.1%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 84.8%

Per-Pupil Spending

$9,065

National avg $13,239

State avg $9,385

School Score

52/100

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

#28

of 53 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Ward County

School Verdict

Ward County performs at an average level with a school score of 52/100 and a solid graduation rate of 85.1%.

Funding Context

Ward County spends $9,065 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 Ward County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 4% below the North Dakota average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Ward County, North Dakota

The Educational Hub of the Region

Ward County features a robust education system with 10,528 students and 36 public schools. This extensive infrastructure includes 21 elementary schools and 10 high schools spread across eight school districts.

Strong Scores and Consistent Investment

The county earns a 55.4 school score, outperforming the state average of 54.8. Investment is high with per-pupil spending at $9,065, supporting an 85.1% graduation rate that aligns with state benchmarks.

Minot 1 Manages the Largest Enrollment

The Minot 1 district is a major provider, overseeing 22 schools and 7,700 students. There are no charter schools in Ward County, making the Minot public system the primary educational driver for the area.

Substantial Schools in Town and Country

The county offers a diverse mix of 20 town schools and 16 rural campuses, with an average school size of 301 students. Central Campus School is the largest facility with 1,085 students, offering a scale rarely found elsewhere in the state.

Settle Near Ward County’s Premier Schools

Families seeking variety in school size and locale will find Ward County’s real estate market highly attractive. Explore homes in Minot for a town feel or the surrounding areas for a more rural educational experience.

School Overview

Total Schools

36

in Ward County

Total Enrollment

10,528

students

School Districts

8

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary21
Middle4
High10
Other1

8 School Districts in Ward County

MINOT 1

22 schools
7,700 students

UNITED 7

2 schools
703 students

NEDROSE 4

2 schools
600 students

SOUTH PRAIRIE 70

2 schools
533 students

SURREY 41

2 schools
423 students

LEWIS AND CLARK 161

4 schools
400 students

KENMARE 28

2 schools
302 students

SAWYER 16

2 schools
73 students

36 Public Schools in Ward County

CENTRAL CAMPUS SCHOOL

MINOT 1

9–10Other1,085 students
MAGIC CITY CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL

MINOT 1

11–12High933 students
JIM HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL

MINOT 1

6–8Middle840 students
ERIK RAMSTAD MIDDLE SCHOOL

MINOT 1

6–8Middle689 students
LEWIS AND CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MINOT 1

PK–5Primary528 students
EDISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MINOT 1

PK–5Primary461 students
JOHN HOEVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MINOT 1

PK–5Primary433 students
LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MINOT 1

PK–5Primary412 students
BURLINGTON-DES LACS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

UNITED 7

PK–6Primary387 students
SOUTH PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SOUTH PRAIRIE 70

PK–8Primary382 students
PERKETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MINOT 1

PK–5Primary358 students
DES LACS-BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

UNITED 7

7–12High316 students
NEDROSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

NEDROSE 4

PK–5Primary303 students
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MINOT 1

PK–5Primary299 students
DAKOTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MINOT 1

PK–5Primary297 students
NEDROSE HIGH SCHOOL

NEDROSE 4

6–12High297 students
SUNNYSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MINOT 1

KG–5Primary282 students
BEL AIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MINOT 1

KG–5Primary245 students
NORTH PLAINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MINOT 1

KG–5Primary238 students
SURREY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SURREY 41

PK–6Primary231 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$9,065

State avg $9,385

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Ward County rate?
Ward County has a school score of 52/100, which is considered average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Ward County?
The high school graduation rate in Ward County is 85.1%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Ward County spend per student?
Ward County spends $9,065 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Ward County, North Dakota — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Ward County, North Dakota?

Ward County features a robust education system with 10,528 students and 36 public schools. This extensive infrastructure includes 21 elementary schools and 10 high schools spread across eight school districts.

How do schools in Ward County perform academically?

The county earns a 55.4 school score, outperforming the state average of 54.8. Investment is high with per-pupil spending at $9,065, supporting an 85.1% graduation rate that aligns with state benchmarks.

What are the major school districts in Ward County, North Dakota?

The Minot 1 district is a major provider, overseeing 22 schools and 7,700 students. There are no charter schools in Ward County, making the Minot public system the primary educational driver for the area.

What is the school experience like in Ward County?

The county offers a diverse mix of 20 town schools and 16 rural campuses, with an average school size of 301 students. Central Campus School is the largest facility with 1,085 students, offering a scale rarely found elsewhere in the state.

How can I find homes near good schools in Ward County, North Dakota?

Families seeking variety in school size and locale will find Ward County’s real estate market highly attractive. Explore homes in Minot for a town feel or the surrounding areas for a more rural educational experience.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.