Photo: Billybob2002 · CC BY 4.0Moorhead’s public schools score below 57% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Moorhead, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Minnesota, not nationally.
From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Moorhead’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1322 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Moorhead’s, its schools beat 30%, lower than their 43% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 45% of tested students were proficient in reading and 42% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,971 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 5 the district’s path is Horizon Middle School, then Moorhead High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Park Christian School (private), St. Joseph Elementary School (private) and St. Josephs School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Moorhead’s grade
C+: better than 43% of Minnesota school districts, #230 of 274 Minnesota towns. Both inputs trail the Minnesota average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Moorhead, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Moorhead
Moorhead Voluntary PreKindergarten
Grades PK · 20 students
5th grade in Moorhead
Horizon Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 2,158 students · 17:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Moorhead
Horizon Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 2,158 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Moorhead
Horizon Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 2,158 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Moorhead
Horizon Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 2,158 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Moorhead
Moorhead High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,122 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Moorhead
Moorhead High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,122 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Moorhead
Moorhead High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,122 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Moorhead
Moorhead High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,122 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Moorhead’s public schools are run by Moorhead Public School District, which also serves Alliance, Elmwood, Georgetown and Georgetown and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Moorhead vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Moorhead’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Moorhead | C+ | Moorhead Public |
| Moorhead Township | — | Moorhead Public |
| Dilworth | B+ | Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton |
| Oakport | — | Moorhead Public |
| Glyndon | — | Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton |
2 of the 4 neighbors share Moorhead Public with Moorhead, so their letters differ mainly through other districts. Fargo, ND borders Moorhead but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Moorhead
14 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Minnesota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 6 public programs with fewer than 25 students (West Central Academy-N, Moorhead ALC - Barnesville, Moorhead ALC: DGF Secondary, Moorhead Online Elementary Academy, Moorhead High School Career Academy and Moorhead Online Secondary Academy).
Questions about Moorhead’s schools
Are Moorhead’s schools good?
On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Moorhead children attend score below 57% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #230 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 30%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Moorhead in?
Moorhead Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,571 students in 12 schools (2024–25).
Where do Moorhead kids go to high school?
Moorhead High School, with 2,122 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Moorhead’s graduation rate?
80% of the class of 2023 in Moorhead Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does Moorhead spend per student?
$14,971 in Moorhead Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Moorhead?
Yes: Park Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 605 students), St. Joseph Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 210 students) and St. Josephs School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 209 students).
Parents talk
What Moorhead families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Moorhead → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Minnesota. Stars are from neighbors.