Best Schools in Watford City, North Dakota
6 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Watford City?
Use this page to compare every school in Watford City by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Watford City Middle School
Middle · Mckenzie Co 1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Fox Hills Elementary School
Elementary · Mckenzie Co 1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Johnson Corners Christian Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Watford City for 2026 are Watford City Middle School (7.3/10), Fox Hills Elementary School (7.2/10), and Johnson Corners Christian Academy (7.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$387,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$387,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Watford City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watford City Middle School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Fox Hills Elementary School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Johnson Corners Christian Academy | 7.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Watford City High School | 4.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Badlands Elementary School | 3.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $88,234
- Median home value
- $387,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 49%
60% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Watford City compares
North Dakota rank
#17 of 30
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below North Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$88k
114% of North Dakota median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Watford City, North Dakota
Watford City, North Dakota is home to 6 schools, including 5 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Watford City show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Watford City is Watford City Middle School with a composite score of 7.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Watford City is served by 1 school district: MCKENZIE CO 1. These districts collectively serve 2,105 students.
Watford City's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $88,234. The poverty rate in the area is 12.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 608 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 500 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.7 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 466 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 511 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 |
| 2 | 20 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 64 students · Kindergarten–11th | 7.0 |
Schools in Watford City
Watford City, North Dakota · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$88,234
Median Home Value
$387,700
Median Rent
$1,212/mo
Population
9,345
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
49%
Poverty Rate
12.0%
Community Profile
Watford City has a median household income of $88,234. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $387,700, with a median rent of $1,212/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Dakota
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in North Dakota
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Watford City, North Dakota
How many schools are in Watford City, North Dakota?
Watford City has 6 schools, including 5 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Watford City, North Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Watford City is 6.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Watford City, North Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Watford City on MySchoolScout is Watford City Middle School with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Watford City, North Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Watford City on MySchoolScout is Fox Hills Elementary School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Watford City, North Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Watford City on MySchoolScout is Watford City Middle School with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best high school in Watford City, North Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Watford City on MySchoolScout is Watford City High School with a composite score of 4.8/10.
How many school districts serve Watford City, North Dakota?
Watford City is served by 1 school district: Mckenzie Co 1.
What is the education level in Watford City, North Dakota?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Watford City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Watford City, North Dakota?
The median household income in Watford City is approximately $88,234 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Watford City, North Dakota?
Yes, Watford City has 1 private school alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Johnson Corners Christian Academy with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Watford City, North Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Watford City is 14.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Watford City, North Dakota?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Dakota Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.