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Williston, North Dakota 10-18-2008Photo: Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) · CC BY-SA 2.0
D
Schools in Williston · Williston Basin Public School District 7

Williston’s public schools score below 87% of North Dakota districts on tests and graduation

In Williston, 26% of tested students are proficient in math, below the North Dakota average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving Williston, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From North Dakota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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
36%
▼ 8 pts vs ND 44%
2021–22
Math proficiency
26%
▼ 13 pts vs ND 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
69%
▼ 14 pts vs ND 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.0K
▼ 10% vs ND $16.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.2
ND 11.5 · larger classes
Schools in town
11
4,838 students on the public path
In brief

Williston’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 322 North Dakota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Williston’s, its schools beat 6%, lower than their 13% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 26% in math, against 44% and 39% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

69% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across North Dakota. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,990 per student, against $16,642 across North Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Five elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 44% since 2021–22. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Williston Trinity Christian School (private) and St. Joseph's 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Williston’s grade

C− Test scoresD− Graduation

D: better than 13% of North Dakota school districts, #22 of 23 North Dakota towns. Both inputs trail the North Dakota average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

North Dakota school districts we grade (152)Better than 13%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Dakota towns with similar household incomes (322)Better than 6%
DC−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,512 test results and a graduating class of 311 could put Williston anywhere from D to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Williston’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,524 in math, 2,500 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–45 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
5–8Williston Middle School Central CampusWilliston Basin Public School District 7No scores
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores

Williston’s public schools are run by Williston Basin Public School District 7. 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.

Williston Basin Public School District 7Grades PK–12 · 11 schools · 5,413 students, up 44% since 2021–22 · 14.2 per teacher (ND 11.5)
$14,990ND $16,642 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading36%
State average 43.8% · 2500 students tested
Math26%
State average 38.6% · 2524 students tested

Williston vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WillistonDWilliston Basin Public School District 7
Missouri RidgeDWilliston Basin Public School District 7
Stony Creek—Williston Basin Public School District 7
Mont—Williston Basin Public School District 7
Pherrin—Williston Basin Public School District 7

All 4 neighbors share Williston Basin Public School District 7 with Williston, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Williston

11 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 Willistonby address
Hagan Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
486 students16:1Rate it →
Lewis and Clark Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
303 students13:1Rate it →
Williston Middle School Central Campus PK
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
37 students18:1Rate it →
McVay Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
449 students22:1Rate it →
Rickard Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
319 students10:1Rate it →
Wilkinson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
301 students11:1Rate it →
Williston Middle School Central Campus
Middle · Grades 5–8
1,536 students15:1Rate it →
Williston High School
High · Grades 9–12
1,370 students14:1Rate it →
Del Easton Alternative High School
High · Grades 10–12
37 students7:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Williston Trinity Christian School
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
325 students11:1Rate it →
St. Joseph's School
Elementary · Grades K–6
Private · Catholic
160 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Williston’s schools

Are Williston’s schools good?

On North Dakota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Williston children attend score below 87% of North Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 6%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Williston in?

Williston Basin Public School District 7, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,413 students in 11 schools (2024–25).

Where do Williston kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Williston High School and Del Easton Alternative High School.

What is Williston’s graduation rate?

69% of the class of 2023 in Williston Basin Public School District 7 graduated in four years, against 83% across North Dakota.

How much does Williston spend per student?

$14,990 in Williston Basin Public School District 7 (FY2024), against $16,642 across North Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Williston?

Yes: Williston Trinity Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 325 students) and St. Joseph's School (Catholic, grades K–6, 160 students).

Parents talk

What Williston families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Williston → 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.