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Needs Improvement

#421 of 451 schools in ND

Badlands Elementary School

Elementary School · MCKENZIE CO 1

PO Box 589, Watford City, ND 58854

Enrollment

500

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Dakota schools

#421 of 451

In Watford City

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

MCKENZIE CO 1

Academic performance

7.0 / 10

Very Good

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Badlands Elementary School

3.7/10

Elementary School in Watford City · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Watford City Middle School

7.3/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Wolves Center Academy

Nearby

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Badlands Elementary School

Badlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Watford City, ND, part of MCKENZIE CO 1. Badlands Elementary School serves approximately 500 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Badlands Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #421 of 451 schools in ND.

Structured state assessment records for Badlands Elementary School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.5
  • ND avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

30% of students at Badlands Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.96 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency43% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,006
Chronic Absenteeism30.2%

Badlands Elementary School — Students at Badlands Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from ND state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
70%
ELA
65%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
28%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
28%
ELA
38%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
45%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.2/10.

How Badlands Elementary School Compares

See how Badlands Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
7th percentile in ND
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

Location

PO Box 589, Watford City, ND 58854

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Badlands Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FOX HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 29.1 miles away, in nearby Williston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Alexander), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Watford City, see our Watford City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

18 within 36.1 mi
School Distance Rating
WATFORD CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL Watford City 0.2 mi 7.3
WOLVES CENTER ACADEMY Watford City 0.7 mi
WATFORD CITY HIGH SCHOOL Watford City 1.6 mi 4.8
FOX HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Watford City 1.9 mi 7.2
JOHNSON CORNERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Watford City 15.5 mi 7.0
ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alexander 17.0 mi 5.5
ALEXANDER HIGH SCHOOL Alexander 17.0 mi 5.1
MCVAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 28.8 mi 1.8
ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL Williston 29.1 mi 7.2
RICKARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 29.4 mi 3.3
LEWIS AND CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 29.7 mi 4.3
WILKINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 30.0 mi 4.4
DEL EASTON ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Williston 30.3 mi
WILLISTON TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Williston 30.4 mi 8.6
HAGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 31.2 mi 3.3
WILLISTON HIGH SCHOOL Williston 32.2 mi 2.6
GARDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 37.2 mi 4.3
MISSOURI RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 36.1 mi 3.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58854 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,234

Median Home Value

$387,700

Median Rent

$1,212/mo

Population

9,345

College Educated

23.5%

Homeownership

48.6%

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

28.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot, ND 3.8
LAKE AGASSIZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Forks, ND 3.6
SUNNYSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot, ND 3.6
WAHPETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wahpeton, ND 3.5
BEULAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Beulah, ND 4.0
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo, ND 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Badlands Elementary School

What grades does Badlands Elementary School serve?

Badlands Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Badlands Elementary School?

Badlands Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 500 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Badlands Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Badlands Elementary School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Badlands Elementary School rank in ND?

Badlands Elementary School ranks #421 of 451 schools in ND.

What is Badlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Badlands Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Badlands Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Badlands Elementary School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Badlands Elementary School a charter school?

No, Badlands Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Badlands Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Badlands Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Badlands Elementary School?

34.6% of students at Badlands Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
McKenzie County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

District

MCKENZIE CO 1
District Enrollment
2,105
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,006
District Rank
#4 of 4

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