Best High Schools in North Dakota (2025-26)

Ranked high schools

121

Listed, not ranked

Every ranked high school in North Dakota, ordered by SchoolGrade. A grade rewards actual test performance against the projection for each school's student context, so a B in a high-poverty school can outrank an A- elsewhere on impact. Click a column heading to sort, or filter by school, city or district.

North Dakota rankings: High Schools · Middle Schools · Elementary Schools

North Dakota high schools ranked

Rank	Grade	School	City	District	Actual	Projected	Impact	Students
#1	A+	Powers Lake High School	Powers Lake	Powers Lake 27	72%	35%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	73
#2	A+	Velva High School	Velva	Velva 1	66%	52%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	216
#3	A+	Harvey High School	Harvey	Harvey 38	63%	44%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	169
#4	A+	Lakota High School	Lakota	Lakota 66	63%	35%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	67
#5	A+	North Border Pembina High School	Pembina	North Border 100	63%	39%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	37
#6	A+	Ellendale High School	Ellendale	Ellendale 40	62%	38%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	91
#7	A+	Glen Ullin High School	Glen Ullin	Glen Ullin 48	62%	36%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	52
#8	A+	Kindred High School	Kindred	Kindred 2	62%	45%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	396
#9	A+	Northern Cass High School	Hunter	Northern Cass 97	62%	47%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	189
#10	A+	Hatton Eielson High School	Hatton	Hatton Eielson 7	61%	39%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	89
#11	A+	Horace High School	Horace	West Fargo 6	43%	53%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	456
#12	A	Turtle Lake Mercer High School	Turtle Lake	Turtle Lake-Mercer 72	60%	40%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	70
#13	A	Hillsboro High School	Hillsboro	Hillsboro 9	59%	45%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	241
#14	A	Jamestown High School	Jamestown	Jamestown 1	59%	48%	Exceeds Expectations	777
#15	A	Mt Pleasant High School	Rolla	Mt Pleasant 4	59%	35%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	113
#16	A	New Salem Almont High School	New Salem	New Salem-Almont 49	59%	38%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	155
#17	A	Park River Area High School	Park River	Park River Area 8	59%	38%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	196
#18	A-	Central Valley High School	Buxton	Central Valley 3	56%	45%	Exceeds Expectations	85
#19	A-	Hebron High School	Hebron	Hebron 13	56%	36%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	73
#20	A-	Kidder County High School	Steele	Kidder County 1	56%	37%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	152
#21	A-	Kulm High School	Kulm	Kulm 7	56%	39%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	40
#22	A-	Medina High School	Medina	Medina 3	56%	42%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	101
#23	A-	Barnes County North High School	Wimbledon	Barnes County North 7	55%	36%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	76
#24	A-	Carrington High School	Carrington	Carrington 49	54%	50%	Meets Expectations	255
#25	A-	Century High School	Bismarck	Bismarck 1	53%	50%	Meets Expectations	1,427
#26	A-	Hettinger High School	Hettinger	Hettinger 13	53%	32%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	124
#27	A-	Drake High School	Drake	Drake 57	51%	38%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	73
#28	A-	Grenora High School	Grenora	Grenora 99	51%	46%	Meets Expectations	83
#29	B+	North High School	Fargo	Fargo 1	50%	43%	Exceeds Expectations	1,083
#30	B+	Sargent Central High School	Forman	Sargent Central 6	50%	35%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	71
#31	B+	Cavalier High School	Cavalier	Cavalier 6	49%	41%	Exceeds Expectations	192
#32	B+	Enderlin Area High School	Enderlin	Enderlin Area 24	49%	39%	Exceeds Expectations	143
#33	B+	Fargo Davies High School	Fargo	Fargo 1	49%	51%	Meets Expectations	1,363
#34	B+	Kenmare High School	Kenmare	Kenmare 28	49%	39%	Exceeds Expectations	98
#35	B+	Richland Junior Senior High School	Colfax	Richland 44	49%	42%	Exceeds Expectations	113
#36	B+	South Prairie High School	Minot	South Prairie 70	49%	41%	Exceeds Expectations	151
#37	B+	Midway High School	Inkster	Midway 128	48%	42%	Exceeds Expectations	53
#38	B	Des Lacs Burlington High School	Des Lacs	United 7	47%	50%	Meets Expectations	316
#39	B	Thompson High School	Thompson	Thompson 61	47%	46%	Meets Expectations	261
#40	B	Central Cass High School	Casselton	Central Cass 17	46%	46%	Meets Expectations	312
#41	B	Lisbon High School	Lisbon	Lisbon 19	46%	40%	Exceeds Expectations	207
#42	B	Maple Valley High School	Tower City	Maple Valley 4	46%	42%	Meets Expectations	102
#43	B	Midkota High School	Glenfield	Midkota 7	46%	39%	Exceeds Expectations	84
#44	B	North Star High School	Cando	North Star 10	46%	36%	Exceeds Expectations	76
#45	B	South Heart High School	South Heart	South Heart 9	46%	38%	Exceeds Expectations	158
#46	B	Berthold High School	Berthold	Lewis And Clark 161	45%	42%	Meets Expectations	109
#47	B	Edgeley High School	Edgeley	Edgeley 3	45%	40%	Meets Expectations	105
#48	B	Griggs County Central High School	Cooperstown	Griggs County Central 18	45%	42%	Meets Expectations	68
#49	B-	Mls Mohall High School	Mohall	Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 1	44%	37%	Exceeds Expectations	144
#50	B-	New Rockford Sheyenne High School	New Rockford	New Rockford-Sheyenne 2	44%	38%	Exceeds Expectations	127
#51	B-	Red River High School	Grand Forks	Grand Forks 1	44%	58%	Underperforms Expectations	1,137
#52	B-	Langdon Area High School	Langdon	Langdon Area 23	43%	43%	Meets Expectations	176
#53	B-	South High School	Fargo	Fargo 1	43%	31%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	961
#54	B-	Underwood High School	Underwood	Underwood 8	43%	38%	Meets Expectations	98
#55	B-	West Fargo High School	West Fargo	West Fargo 6	43%	32%	Exceeds Expectations	1,423
#56	C+	Bowman Co High School	Bowman	Bowman Co 1	43%	42%	Meets Expectations	227
#57	C+	Divide County High School	Crosby	Divide County 1	43%	41%	Meets Expectations	161
#58	C+	Surrey High School	Surrey	Surrey 41	43%	42%	Meets Expectations	192
#59	C+	Central High School	Grand Forks	Grand Forks 1	42%	39%	Meets Expectations	1,093
#60	C+	Milnor High School	Milnor	Milnor 2	42%	41%	Meets Expectations	65
#61	C+	Rugby High School	Rugby	Rugby 5	42%	44%	Meets Expectations	297
#62	C+	Belfield High School	Belfield	Belfield 13	41%	38%	Meets Expectations	121
#63	C+	Bismarck High School	Bismarck	Bismarck 1	41%	38%	Meets Expectations	1,333
#64	C+	Legacy High School	Bismarck	Bismarck 1	41%	48%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	1,418
#65	C+	Mandan High School	Mandan	Mandan 1	41%	46%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	1,138
#66	C+	Valley City High School	Valley City	Valley City 2	41%	45%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	366
#67	C	Fessenden Bowdon High School	Fessenden	Fessenden-Bowdon 25	40%	35%	Meets Expectations	49
#68	C	Hope Page High School	Hope	Hope-Page 85	40%	50%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	59
#69	C	Wishek High School	Wishek	Wishek 19	40%	35%	Meets Expectations	92
#70	C	Wyndmere High School	Wyndmere	Wyndmere 42	40%	47%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	113
#71	C	Dakota Prairie High School	Petersburg	Dakota Prairie 1	39%	40%	Meets Expectations	127
#72	C	Lamoure High School	Lamoure	Lamoure 8	39%	35%	Meets Expectations	76
#73	C	New England High School	New England	New England 9	39%	37%	Meets Expectations	112
#74	C	Dickinson High School	Dickinson	Dickinson 1	38%	45%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	1,028
#75	C	Ray High School	Ray	Nesson 2	38%	36%	Meets Expectations	121
#76	C-	Bottineau Junior Senior High School	Bottineau	Bottineau 1	37%	44%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	311
#77	C-	Grafton High School	Grafton		37%	34%	Meets Expectations	284
#78	C-	Wahpeton High School	Wahpeton	Wahpeton 37	37%	46%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	388
#79	C-	Napoleon High School	Napoleon	Napoleon 2	36%	42%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	108
#80	C-	Oakes High School	Oakes	Oakes 41	36%	47%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	234
#81	C-	Richardton Taylor High School	Richardton	Richardton-Taylor 34	36%	37%	Meets Expectations	132
#82	C-	West Fargo Sheyenne High School	West Fargo	West Fargo 6	36%	45%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	1,473
#83	C-	Wilton High School	Wilton	Wilton 1	36%	45%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	113
#84	C-	Mott Regent High School	Mott	Mott-Regent 1	33%	38%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	108
#85	D+	Alexander High School	Alexander	Alexander 2	33%	39%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	125
#86	D+	Garrison High School	Garrison	Garrison 51	33%	39%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	162
#87	D+	Hazen High School	Hazen	Hazen 3	33%	39%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	163
#88	D+	Hankinson High School	Hankinson	Hankinson 8	32%	44%	Underperforms Expectations	106
#89	D+	Killdeer High School	Killdeer	Killdeer 16	32%	37%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	250
#90	D+	Minto High School	Minto	Minto 20	32%	27%	Meets Expectations	83
#91	D+	Nedrose High School	Minot	Nedrose 4	32%	34%	Meets Expectations	297
#92	D+	Washburn High School	Washburn	Washburn 4	31%	42%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	136
#93	D+	Parshall High School	Parshall	Parshall 3	30%	19%	Exceeds Expectations	145
#94	D+	Rolette High School	Rolette	Rolette 29	30%	44%	Underperforms Expectations	61
#95	D	May Port Cg High School	Mayville	May-Port Cg 14	30%	45%	Underperforms Expectations	132
#96	D	Devils Lake High School	Devils Lake	Devils Lake 1	29%	32%	Meets Expectations	500
#97	D	Glenburn High School	Glenburn	Glenburn 26	28%	36%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	97
#98	D	Beulah High School	Beulah	Beulah 27	27%	36%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	206
#99	D	Linton High School	Linton	Linton 36	27%	36%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	88
#100	D	Watford City High School	Watford City	Mckenzie Co 1	27%	26%	Meets Expectations	477
#101	D	Williston High School	Williston	Williston Basin 7	26%	49%	Underperforms Expectations	1,363
#102	D-	Center Stanton High School Center	Center	Center-Stanton 1	25%	33%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	115
#103	D-	Flasher High School	Flasher	Flasher 39	25%	34%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	120
#104	D-	North Border Walhalla High School	Walhalla	North Border 100	25%	46%	Underperforms Expectations	65
#105	D-	Turtle Mountain Community High School	Belcourt	Belcourt 7	24%	14%	Exceeds Expectations	560
#106	D-	Larimore High School	Larimore	Larimore 44	23%	40%	Underperforms Expectations	193
#107	D-	Northwood High School	Northwood	Northwood 129	23%	50%	Underperforms Expectations	144
#108	D-	Tioga High School	Tioga	Tioga 15	23%	47%	Underperforms Expectations	215
#109	D-	New Town High School	New Town	New Town 1	22%	18%	Meets Expectations	278
#110	D-	Dunseith High School	Dunseith	Dunseith 1	21%	11%	Exceeds Expectations	303
#111	F	Drayton High School	Drayton	Drayton 19	20%	33%	Underperforms Expectations	46
#112	F	Lidgerwood High School	Lidgerwood	Lidgerwood 28	20%	35%	Underperforms Expectations	85
#113	F	Minnewaukan High School	Minnewaukan	Minnewaukan 5	20%	18%	Meets Expectations	78
#114	F	North Sargent High School	Gwinner	North Sargent 3	20%	38%	Underperforms Expectations	55
#115	F	Solen High School	Solen	Solen 3	20%	12%	Exceeds Expectations	82
#116	F	Stanley High School	Stanley	Stanley 2	20%	37%	Underperforms Expectations	327
#117	F	Warwick High School	Warwick	Warwick 29	20%	18%	Meets Expectations	66
#118	F	Saint John High School	Saint John	St John 3	18%	15%	Meets Expectations	123
#119	F	Tgu Towner High School	Towner	Tgu 60	17%	39%	Underperforms Expectations	55
#120	F	Four Winds Community High School	Fort Totten	Ft Totten 30	16%	11%	Exceeds Expectations	181
#121	F	Eight Mile High School	Trenton	Eight Mile 6	13%	32%	Underperforms Expectations	93

How North Dakota's high schools compare

A: 28B: 27C: 29D: 26F: 11

45% of the 121 ranked high schools in North Dakota earn an A or B (28 A grades, 27 B, 29 C, 26 D, 11 F), against 50% of high schools nationwide. 82 schools meet or beat the proficiency projected from their student context (68% here, 74% nationally), and 45 exceed it. On average 41% of tested students meet the state bar against a projected 39% (national averages: 44% actual, 41% projected).

The biggest overperformers, by actual proficiency above projection: Powers Lake High School (72% against 35%, A+), Lakota High School (63% against 35%, A+), Glen Ullin High School (62% against 36%, A+), North Border Pembina High School (63% against 39%, A+), Ellendale High School (62% against 38%, A+).

Cities with the most ranked high schools: Bismarck (3, 1 at A or B), Fargo (3, 3 at A or B).

The largest ranked high schools: West Fargo Sheyenne High School (1,473 students, C-, #82), Century High School (1,427 students, A-, #25), West Fargo High School (1,423 students, B-, #55).

High schools in North Dakota that are not ranked

57 graded high schools are listed here rather than ranked, each for the reason given. Every one has its own page with its full SchoolGrade report.

Fully online schools (1)

Statewide virtual schools draw students from everywhere, so a place ranking is not a fair comparison.

D Fargo 9 12 Virtual Academy, Fargo

Not yet graded (56)

Our source data has no school-level proficiency results for these schools, so they carry no SchoolGrade yet.

Ashley High School, Ashley
Beach High School, Beach
Bowbells High School, Bowbells
Brave Center Academy, Mandan
Burke Central High School, Lignite
Community Alternative High School, Grand Forks
Dakota High School, Fargo
Del Easton Alternative High School, Williston
Edmore High School, Edmore
Elgin New Leipzig High School, Elgin
Ellendale High Virtual Academy, Ellendale
Fairmount High School, Fairmount
Finley Sharon High School, Finley
Fordville Lankin High School, Fordville
Gackle Streeter High School, Gackle
Hazelton Moffit Braddock High School, Hazelton
Kensal High School, Kensal
Leeds High School, Leeds
Litchville Marion High School, Marion
Maddock High School, Maddock
Magic City Campus High School, Minot
Mandan Virtual High School, Mandan
Mandaree Day School, Mandaree
Mandaree High School, Mandaree
Marmot School 6-12, Mandan
Max High School, Max
Mcclusky High School, Mcclusky
Minot Public Schools 9 12 Virtual Academy, Minot
Montpelier High School, Montpelier
Munich High School, Munich
Newburg United High School, Newburg
North Shore Plaza High School, Plaza
Pingree Buchanan High School, Pingree
Roughrider High Virtual Academy, Dickinson
Sawyer High School, Sawyer
Scranton High School, Scranton
Selfridge High School, Selfridge
Souris River Campus Alternative High School, Minot
South Central Alternative High School, Bismarck
South Heart High Virtual Academy, South Heart
Southwest Community High School, Dickinson
Standing Rock Community School, Fort Yates
Starkweather High School, Starkweather
Strasburg High School, Strasburg
Sundale Colony High School, Milnor
Tgu Granville High School, Granville
Turtle Mountain High School, Belcourt
Valley Edinburg High School, Edinburg
West Fargo Community High School, West Fargo
West Fargo High Virtual Academy, West Fargo
Westhope High School, Westhope
White Shield High School, White Shield
White Shield School, Roseglen
Wing High School, Wing
Wolves Center Academy, Watford City
Zeeland High School, Zeeland

About this ranking

Scope: every public high school in North Dakota.
Order: SchoolGrade, then actual proficiency, then name; schools with the same grade and score share a rank.
Ranked: regular public schools that NCES lists as open, not fully online, with at least 30 students. Others are listed with the reason.
Tags: Magnet and Charter from the NCES school directory; K-12 marks schools serving every grade that are ranked with the high schools.
Grades are the 2025-26 SchoolGrade model. How SchoolGrade works

Questions about high schools in North Dakota

What is the best high school in North Dakota?

Powers Lake High School in Powers Lake ranks first among the 121 ranked high schools in North Dakota with a SchoolGrade of A+, 72% of tested students meeting the state bar against a projected 35%.

How are high schools in North Dakota ranked?

By SchoolGrade, the 2025-26 model that scores each school's actual test proficiency against the level projected for its student context, then by actual proficiency to break ties. Regular public schools that are open, not fully online and have at least 30 students are ranked; the rest are listed below the table with the reason.

How many high schools does North Dakota have?

SchoolGrade grades 178 public high schools in North Dakota; 121 are ranked here and 57 are listed as not ranked.