McKenzie County 1

The McKenzie County 1 school district in North Dakota serves 5 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools. The data reveals that Watford City High School stands out with the highest graduation rate and lowest dropout rate in the district, likely due to its higher per-student spending of $15,016. Meanwhile, Watford City Middle School excels academically, with the highest test scores in both math and reading, potentially attributed to its low student-teacher ratio of 13.7.

However, the district as a whole faces challenges, with most schools performing below the state average in math and reading proficiency, except for Watford City Middle School. Chronic absenteeism rates are also high across the district, ranging from 20-24%, which can significantly impact student learning. The district serves a population with relatively lower socioeconomic status, as evidenced by the high rates of free and reduced-price lunch eligibility, ranging from 24.74% to 42.4% across the schools.

The district's student population is predominantly White, but with significant Hispanic/Latino and Native American representation. Addressing the unique needs of this diverse student body, as well as tackling the district-wide issues of chronic absenteeism and low academic performance, should be priorities for the McKenzie County 1 school district to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed.