Photo: Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) · CC BY-SA 2.0Dickinson’s public schools score below 58% of North Dakota districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Dickinson, 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.
Dickinson’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 337 North Dakota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Dickinson’s, its schools beat 34%, lower than their 42% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 44% and math 35% in spring 2022, against 44% and 39% statewide; 81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,709 per student, against $16,642 across North Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Trinity Catholic School (private), Trinity Catholic Schools (private), Trinity Elementary West (private), Hope Christian Academy (private) and Trinity Elementary East (private) are in town. Roughrider High Virtual Academy and Roughrider Elementary Virtual Academy, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. 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 Dickinson’s grade
C+: better than 42% of North Dakota school districts, #13 of 23 North Dakota towns. Both inputs trail the North Dakota average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dickinson, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Dickinson
Early Childhood Program
Grades PK · 90 students · 8:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Dickinson
Dickinson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 944 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Dickinson
Dickinson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 944 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Dickinson
Dickinson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 944 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Dickinson · depends on your address
Dickinson High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,022 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Southwest Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 48 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Dickinson · depends on your address
Dickinson High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,022 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Southwest Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 48 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Dickinson · depends on your address
Dickinson High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,022 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Southwest Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 48 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Dickinson · depends on your address
Dickinson High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,022 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Southwest Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 48 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Dickinson’s public schools are run by Dickinson Public School District 1, which also serves Gladstone. 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
Dickinson vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Dakota towns that share Dickinson’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Dickinson | C+ | Dickinson Public School District 1 |
Every school in Dickinson
17 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).
Questions about Dickinson’s schools
Are Dickinson’s schools good?
On North Dakota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Dickinson children attend score below 58% of North Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #13 of 23 North Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 34%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Dickinson in?
Dickinson Public School District 1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,177 students in 12 schools (2024–25).
Where do Dickinson kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Dickinson High School and Southwest Community High School.
What is Dickinson’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Dickinson Public School District 1 graduated in four years, against 83% across North Dakota.
How much does Dickinson spend per student?
$15,709 in Dickinson Public School District 1 (FY2024), against $16,642 across North Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Dickinson?
Yes: Trinity Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 721 students), Trinity Catholic Schools (Catholic, grades 7–12, 239 students), Trinity Elementary West (Catholic, grades K–4, 197 students), Hope Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 165 students) and Trinity Elementary East (Catholic, grades K–4, 91 students).
Parents talk
What Dickinson families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dickinson → 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.