Photo: Brenda Riskey · Public domainGrand Forks’s public schools score below 59% of North Dakota districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Grand Forks, 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 97% 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.
Grand Forks’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 245 North Dakota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Grand Forks’s, its schools beat 36%, lower than their 41% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 47% and math 38% in spring 2022, against 44% and 39% statewide; 77% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,878 per student, against $16,642 across North Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Michael's School (private), Holy Family ST. Marys School (private) and Prairie Voyager Adventist 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 Grand Forks’s grade
C+: better than 41% of North Dakota school districts, #14 of 23 North Dakota towns. Test scores are above the North Dakota average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Grand Forks, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Grand Forks · depends on your address
Schroeder Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 569 students · 7:1 students per teacher
South Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 549 students · 6:1 students per teacher
Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 508 students · 9:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Grand Forks · depends on your address
Schroeder Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 569 students · 7:1 students per teacher
South Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 549 students · 6:1 students per teacher
Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 508 students · 9:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Grand Forks · depends on your address
Schroeder Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 569 students · 7:1 students per teacher
South Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 549 students · 6:1 students per teacher
Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 508 students · 9:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Grand Forks · depends on your address
Red River High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,190 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,115 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Community Alternative High School
Grades 9–12 · 73 students · 8:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Grand Forks · depends on your address
Red River High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,190 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,115 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Community Alternative High School
Grades 9–12 · 73 students · 8:1 students per teacher
Grand Forks’s public schools are run by Grand Forks Public School District 1, which also serves Brenna, Falconer, Grand Forks and Mekinock and others. Parts of Grand Forks (7% of its land) are served by Manvel Public School District 125 instead. 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.
Above the state in reading
Grand Forks vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Dakota towns that share Grand Forks’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | C+ | Grand Forks Public School District 1 |
| Grand Forks Township | — | Grand Forks Public School District 1 |
| Rye | — | Manvel Public School District 125 PK–8 · Grand Forks Public School District 1 PK–12 |
| Falconer | — | Grand Forks Public School District 1 PK–12 · Manvel Public School District 125 PK–8 |
| Brenna | — | Grand Forks Public School District 1 PK–12 · Thompson Public School District 61 K–12 |
All 4 neighbors share Grand Forks Public School District 1 with Grand Forks, so their letters differ mainly through other districts. East Grand Forks, MN and Rhinehart, MN border Grand Forks but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.
Every school in Grand Forks
19 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: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (School for the Blind and Grand Forks Virtual High School).
Questions about Grand Forks’s schools
Are Grand Forks’s schools good?
On North Dakota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Grand Forks children attend score below 59% of North Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #14 of 23 North Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Grand Forks in?
Grand Forks Public School District 1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,811 students in 18 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Grand Forks are served by Manvel Public School District 125.
Where do Grand Forks kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Red River High School, Central High School and Community Alternative High School.
What is Grand Forks’s graduation rate?
77% of the class of 2023 in Grand Forks Public School District 1 graduated in four years, against 83% across North Dakota.
How much does Grand Forks spend per student?
$16,878 in Grand Forks Public School District 1 (FY2024), against $16,642 across North Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Grand Forks?
Yes: St. Michael's School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 193 students), Holy Family ST. Marys School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 130 students) and Prairie Voyager Adventist School (religious, grades 1–8, 9 students).
Parents talk
What Grand Forks families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Grand Forks → 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.