#1Wahpeton
Richland County · 8,141 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall B+ · #5 of 23 in ND
Wahpeton, #1 on this list · Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5North Dakota rankings · Schools
Towns with the best schools in North Dakota
Wahpeton ranks first on schools among North Dakota’s 23 towns of 2,500+; 0 of the 23 grade A− or better (schools are graded within each state).
The Schools grade: state test results and graduation rates of the districts serving each town, compared with the state’s other districts (U.S. Department of Education). How grades work
#1B+
Apple Creek Township
Burleigh County · 3,515 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall A · #3 of 23 in ND
#3Valley City
Barnes County · 6,430 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall B+ · #6 of 23 in ND
All 23 towns
Schools grade, best first (graded within North Dakota). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 8 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
23 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
T17Minot AFBunincorporated, Ward County · 4,878 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall C · #22 of 23
Quick answers
Questions people ask
Which North Dakota town has the best schools?
Wahpeton (Richland County) ranks first on schools among 23 towns, with a B+; Apple Creek Township and Valley City follow. Schools are compared within North Dakota, so the letter is a state grade.
How are these towns ranked?
The Schools grade: state test results and graduation rates of the districts serving each town, compared with the state’s other districts (U.S. Department of Education). Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a schools grade (23 in North Dakota). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the North Dakota page.
Go deeper
All North Dakota rankings →More North Dakota lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live23 towns · #1 LincolnMost affordable towns23 towns · #1 New TownSafest towns16 towns · #1 New TownHealthiest towns23 towns · #1 Hay Creek TownshipBest towns for jobs & income23 towns · #1 Hay Creek TownshipMost walkable towns23 towns · #1 Grand ForksTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk23 towns · #1 Tatman TownshipBest towns for the outdoors23 towns · #1 BismarckMost historic towns23 towns · #1 Valley CityTowns with the most civic life22 towns · #1 GraftonTowns with the least snow20 towns · #1 BeulahDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns20 towns · #1 MinotDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters24 towns · #1 DickinsonDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers24 towns · #1 WillistonDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers24 towns · #1 Devils LakeDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes23 towns · #1 Hay Creek TownshipDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes21 towns · #1 New TownDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns23 towns · #1 HoraceDescribed, no letters
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