Belcourt 7

The Belcourt 7 district in North Dakota is home to three schools that serve a predominantly Native American student population: Turtle Mountain Community Elementary School, Turtle Mountain Community High School, and Turtle Mountain Community Middle School. While these schools share a strong cultural identity, they face significant challenges in academic performance, attendance, and graduation rates compared to state averages.

Across the district, the student population is overwhelmingly Native American, ranging from 96.25% at the high school to 99.4% at the middle school. This reflects the demographics of the Belcourt 7 district, which serves a predominantly Native American community. However, the schools in this district perform significantly below the state average on standardized tests, with proficiency rates in math and reading ranging from just 14% to 43%. Chronic absenteeism is also a major concern, with rates as high as 68% at the high school.

The high school's 69.7% four-year graduation rate and 15% dropout rate are particularly troubling, indicating a need for targeted interventions to support student retention and success. Additionally, the wide disparity in per-student spending, ranging from $13,092 at the middle school to $26,906 at the high school, suggests potential inequities in resource distribution within the district. Addressing these systemic challenges will require a comprehensive, data-driven approach that considers the unique cultural and socioeconomic factors at play in this community.