Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Bismarck’s public schools outscore 72% of North Dakota districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Bismarck, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Dakota, not nationally.
From North Dakota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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.
Bismarck’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 45% and math 43% in spring 2022, against 44% and 39% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,100 per student, against $16,642 across North Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
16 elementary schools, then three middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Light of Christ Catholic Schools (private), Shiloh Christian School (private), St. Mary's Central High School (private), St. Anne School (private), St. Mary's Grade School (private), Martin Luther School (private) and The Innovation 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 Bismarck’s grade
B+: better than 72% of North Dakota school districts, #3 of 23 North Dakota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Dakota average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bismarck, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Bismarck · depends on your address
Horizon Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,124 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Simle Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,053 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Wachter Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,012 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Bismarck · depends on your address
Horizon Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,124 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Simle Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,053 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Wachter Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,012 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Bismarck · depends on your address
Horizon Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,124 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Simle Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,053 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Wachter Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,012 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Bismarck’s public schools are run by Bismarck Public School District 1, which also serves Apple Creek, Gibbs, Glenview and Hay Creek 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.
Close to the state in reading
Bismarck vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Dakota towns that share Bismarck’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | B+ | Bismarck Public School District 1 |
| Hay Creek | B+ | Bismarck Public School District 1 |
| Gibbs | B+ | Bismarck Public School District 1 |
| Apple Creek | B+ | Apple Creek Public School District 39 PK–5 · Bismarck Public School District 1 PK–12 |
| Captain's Landing | — | Mandan Public School District 1 |
3 of the 4 neighbors share Bismarck Public School District 1 with Bismarck, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Bismarck
31 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Dakota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Bismarck Elementary Virtual Academy, Bismarck High Virtual Academy and Bismarck Middle Virtual Academy).
Questions about Bismarck’s schools
Are Bismarck’s schools good?
By North Dakota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Bismarck children attend outscore 72% of North Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #3 of 23 North Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 70%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bismarck in?
Bismarck Public School District 1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 14,086 students in 26 schools (2024–25).
Where do Bismarck kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Legacy High School, Century High School, Bismarck High School and South Central Alternative High School.
What is Bismarck’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Bismarck Public School District 1 graduated in four years, against 83% across North Dakota.
How much does Bismarck spend per student?
$15,100 in Bismarck Public School District 1 (FY2024), against $16,642 across North Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Bismarck?
Yes: Light of Christ Catholic Schools (Catholic, grades PK–12, 1,473 students), Shiloh Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 641 students), St. Mary's Central High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 349 students), St. Anne School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 232 students), St. Mary's Grade School (Catholic, grades K–5, 226 students), Martin Luther School (religious, grades PK–7, 109 students) and The Innovation School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 36 students).
Parents talk
What Bismarck families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bismarck → 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 North Dakota. Stars are from neighbors.