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Wahpeton North DakotaPhoto: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5
B+
Schools in Wahpeton · Wahpeton Public School District 37

Wahpeton’s public schools outscore 74% of North Dakota districts

On the state math tests, 47% of Wahpeton’s students scored proficient, above the North Dakota average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving Wahpeton, 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.

#1of 23 North Dakota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From North Dakota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.

Reading proficiency
47%
▲ 3 pts vs ND 44%
2021–22
Math proficiency
47%
▲ 8 pts vs ND 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▲ 2–6 pts vs ND 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.3K
▼ 14% vs ND $16.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.0
ND 11.5 · larger classes
Schools in town
6
1,221 students on the public path
In brief

Wahpeton’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 47% and math 47% in spring 2022, against 44% and 39% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,328 per student, against $16,642 across North Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 1 the district’s path is Wahpeton Elementary School, then Wahpeton Middle School, then Wahpeton High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Johns School (private) is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Wahpeton’s grade

B+ Test scoresA− Graduation

B+: better than 74% of North Dakota school districts, #1 of 23 North Dakota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Dakota average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

North Dakota school districts we grade (152)Better than 74%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Dakota towns with similar household incomes (239)Better than 74%
B−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 598 test results and a graduating class of 93 could put Wahpeton anywhere from B− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Wahpeton’s students in the tested grades sat them (599 in math, 596 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Wahpeton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–KZimmerman Elementary SchoolWahpeton Public School District 37No scores
1–5Wahpeton Elementary SchoolWahpeton Public School District 37C+
6–8Wahpeton Middle SchoolWahpeton Public School District 37A−
9–12Wahpeton High SchoolWahpeton Public School District 37C+

Wahpeton’s public schools are run by Wahpeton Public School District 37, which also serves Barney, Brandenburg, Center and Dwight 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.

Wahpeton Public School District 37Grades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,221 students · 15.0 per teacher (ND 11.5)
$14,328ND $16,642 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading47%
State average 43.8% · 596 students tested
Math47%
State average 38.6% · 599 students tested

Wahpeton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Dakota towns that share Wahpeton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WahpetonB+Wahpeton Public School District 37
Center—Wahpeton Public School District 37
Dwight—Wahpeton Public School District 37

All 2 neighbors share Wahpeton Public School District 37 with Wahpeton, so their letters differ mainly through other districts. Breckenridge, MN and Connelly, MN border Wahpeton but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.

Every school in Wahpeton

6 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).

District schools in Wahpetonby address
Zimmerman Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–K
116 students14:1Rate it →
Wahpeton Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 1–5
C+
469 students15:1Rate it →
Wahpeton Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A−
272 students14:1Rate it →
Wahpeton High School
High · Grades 9–12
C+
364 students16:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Wahpetonrun by other districts or the state
Circle of Nations
Middle · Grades 4–8
121 studentsRate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Johns School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Catholic
131 students16:1Rate it →

Questions about Wahpeton’s schools

Are Wahpeton’s schools good?

By North Dakota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Wahpeton children attend outscore 74% of North Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #1 of 23 North Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 74%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Wahpeton in?

Wahpeton Public School District 37, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,221 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Wahpeton kids go to high school?

Wahpeton High School, with 364 students; its own test results earn a C+.

What is Wahpeton’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Wahpeton Public School District 37 graduated in four years, against 83% across North Dakota.

How much does Wahpeton spend per student?

$14,328 in Wahpeton Public School District 37 (FY2024), against $16,642 across North Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Wahpeton?

Yes: St. Johns School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 131 students).

Parents talk

What Wahpeton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Wahpeton → 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.