Bismarck 1

The Bismarck 1 school district in North Dakota consists of 25 schools, including 18 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 4 high schools, and 1 alternative high school. The district serves a diverse student population and features a mix of high-performing and lower-performing schools, with some standout institutions and others facing significant challenges.

Among the top-performing schools in the district are Elk Ridge Elementary School, which consistently ranks as the best elementary school in the state, and Century High School, which is one of the top high schools in North Dakota. Horizon Middle School is also consistently ranked among the best middle schools in the state. These schools boast high proficiency rates in core academic subjects and strong overall performance.

In contrast, some schools in the Bismarck 1 district face significant challenges, such as high poverty rates, low graduation rates, and high chronic absenteeism. For example, South Central Alternative High School has a concerning 39% dropout rate, and several elementary schools with high poverty populations struggle to match the academic performance of their higher-income peers. The data suggests the district must address these achievement gaps and provide additional support to its most vulnerable schools and students.