Photo: afiler · CC BY-SA 2.0Lincoln’s public schools outscore 72% of North Dakota districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Lincoln, 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.
Lincoln’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 ↓
One elementary school, then three middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓
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 Lincoln’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 Lincoln, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Lincoln
Becep Center
Grades PK · 337 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Bismarck
Kindergarten in Lincoln
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 605 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Lincoln
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 605 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Lincoln
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 605 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Lincoln
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 605 students · 12:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Lincoln
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 605 students · 12:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Lincoln
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 605 students · 12:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Lincoln · depends on your address
Horizon Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,124 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Bismarck
Simle Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,053 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Bismarck
Wachter Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,012 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Bismarck
7th grade in Lincoln · depends on your address
Horizon Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,124 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Bismarck
Simle Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,053 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Bismarck
Wachter Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,012 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Bismarck
8th grade in Lincoln · depends on your address
Horizon Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,124 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Bismarck
Simle Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,053 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Bismarck
Wachter Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,012 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Bismarck
Lincoln’s public schools are run by Bismarck Public School District 1, which also serves Apple Creek, Bismarck, Gibbs and Glenview 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
Lincoln vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Dakota towns that share Lincoln’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | B+ | Bismarck Public School District 1 |
| Apple Creek | B+ | Apple Creek Public School District 39 PK–5 · Bismarck Public School District 1 PK–12 |
Every school in Lincoln
8 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 Lincoln’s schools
Are Lincoln’s schools good?
By North Dakota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Lincoln 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 69%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lincoln in?
Bismarck Public School District 1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 14,086 students in 26 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lincoln 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 Lincoln’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 Lincoln 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.
Parents talk
What Lincoln families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lincoln → 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.