Wells County Schools & Education
Wells County, North Dakota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
53/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
86.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 84.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,651
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,385
School Score
53/100
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
#24
of 53 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Wells County
School Verdict
Wells County performs at an average level with a school score of 53/100 and a solid graduation rate of 86.8%.
Funding Context
Wells County spends $8,651 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 Wells County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 3% below the North Dakota average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Wells County, North Dakota
Streamlined Rural Education System
Wells County operates a focused system of four public schools serving 573 total students. These schools are managed by just two districts, providing a highly localized and simplified educational landscape.
Excellent Outcomes for Every Student
The graduation rate of 86.8% beats the state average of 84.8%, demonstrating strong secondary success. The county invests $8,651 per pupil, which contributes to a solid composite school score of 55.4.
Harvey and Fessenden-Bowdon Districts
Harvey 38 is the larger of the two districts, enrolling 394 students. Like many neighboring counties, Wells County features no charter schools, relying entirely on its traditional rural districts.
Small Classes in a Rural Setting
All four schools in Wells County are rural, creating an average school size of 143 students. While B.M. Hanson Elementary serves 225 students, Fessenden-Bowdon High School offers an incredibly intimate setting with just 49 students.
Discover Quiet Living Near Great Schools
Wells County is ideal for families who value small class sizes and personalized attention for their children. Look for homes in Harvey or Fessenden to take advantage of these top-performing, tight-knit school communities.
School Overview
Total Schools
4
in Wells County
Total Enrollment
573
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Wells County
HARVEY 38
FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25
4 Public Schools in Wells County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BM HANSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HARVEY 38 | KG–6 | Primary | 225 |
| HARVEY HIGH SCHOOL | HARVEY 38 | 7–12 | High | 169 |
| FESSENDEN-BOWDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25 | PK–8 | Primary | 130 |
| FESSENDEN-BOWDON HIGH SCHOOL | FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25 | 9–12 | High | 49 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,651
State avg $9,385
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Wells County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Wells County?
How much does Wells County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Wells County, North Dakota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Wells County, North Dakota?
Wells County operates a focused system of four public schools serving 573 total students. These schools are managed by just two districts, providing a highly localized and simplified educational landscape.
How do schools in Wells County perform academically?
The graduation rate of 86.8% beats the state average of 84.8%, demonstrating strong secondary success. The county invests $8,651 per pupil, which contributes to a solid composite school score of 55.4.
What are the major school districts in Wells County, North Dakota?
Harvey 38 is the larger of the two districts, enrolling 394 students. Like many neighboring counties, Wells County features no charter schools, relying entirely on its traditional rural districts.
What is the school experience like in Wells County?
All four schools in Wells County are rural, creating an average school size of 143 students. While B.M. Hanson Elementary serves 225 students, Fessenden-Bowdon High School offers an incredibly intimate setting with just 49 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Wells County, North Dakota?
Wells County is ideal for families who value small class sizes and personalized attention for their children. Look for homes in Harvey or Fessenden to take advantage of these top-performing, tight-knit school communities.
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.