Watford City’s public schools outscore 51% of North Dakota districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Watford City, 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.
Watford City’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 330 North Dakota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Watford City’s, its schools beat 40%, lower than their 51% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 35% in math, against 44% and 39% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across North Dakota (the state reports Watford City’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,581 per student, against $16,642 across North Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Watford City Virtual Academy High School, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Watford City’s grade
B−: better than 51% of North Dakota school districts, #9 of 23 North Dakota towns. Graduation is above the North Dakota average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Watford City, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Watford City · depends on your address
Fox Hills Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 663 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Badlands Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 538 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Watford City · depends on your address
Fox Hills Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 663 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Badlands Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 538 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Watford City · depends on your address
Fox Hills Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 663 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Badlands Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 538 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Watford City · depends on your address
Fox Hills Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 663 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Badlands Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 538 students · 12:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Watford City · depends on your address
Fox Hills Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 663 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Badlands Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 538 students · 12:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Watford City · depends on your address
Fox Hills Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 663 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Badlands Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 538 students · 12:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Watford City
Watford City Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 509 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Watford City
Watford City Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 509 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Watford City
Watford City Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 509 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Watford City · depends on your address
Watford City High School
Grades 9–12 · 566 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Wolves Center Academy
Grades 9–12 · 30 students · 30:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Watford City · depends on your address
Watford City High School
Grades 9–12 · 566 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Wolves Center Academy
Grades 9–12 · 30 students · 30:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Watford City · depends on your address
Watford City High School
Grades 9–12 · 566 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Wolves Center Academy
Grades 9–12 · 30 students · 30:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Watford City · depends on your address
Watford City High School
Grades 9–12 · 566 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Wolves Center Academy
Grades 9–12 · 30 students · 30:1 students per teacher
Watford City’s public schools are run by McKenzie County Public School District 1, which also serves Arnegard, Arnegard, Blue Butte and Elm Tree 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.
Below the state in reading
Watford City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Dakota towns that share Watford City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Watford City | B− | McKenzie County Public School District 1 |
Every school in Watford City
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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Watford City Virtual Academy Elementary School).
Questions about Watford City’s schools
Are Watford City’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of North Dakota: the public schools Watford City children attend outscore 51% of North Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #9 of 23 North Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 40%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Watford City in?
McKenzie County Public School District 1, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,349 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Watford City kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Watford City High School and Wolves Center Academy.
What is Watford City’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in McKenzie County Public School District 1 graduated in four years, against 83% across North Dakota.
How much does Watford City spend per student?
$15,581 in McKenzie County Public School District 1 (FY2024), against $16,642 across North Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Watford City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Watford City → 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.