Very Good
#93 of 451 schools in ND
Top 20% in state
Badlands Elementary School
Elementary School · MCKENZIE CO 1
PO Box 589, Watford City, ND 58854
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watford City
#1 of 4
public schools
North Dakota elementary schools
#62 of 252
In district
#1 of 4
MCKENZIE CO 1
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Badlands Elementary School
Badlands Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the remote town of Watford City, North Dakota. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 500 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.3 out of 10, placing it in the 68th percentile among North Dakota schools, with an academic score of 5.9/10.
In terms of proficiency rates, 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 35% in math, indicating areas for continued growth. Badlands Elementary School is situated in a community that values education despite the challenges posed by its remote location. The school focuses on supporting each student’s development and offers a range of programs to engage its diverse group of learners.
With dedicated teachers and committed staff, Badlands Elementary works hard to provide a nurturing environment for all students. Set against the backdrop of Watford City, this elementary school plays an essential role in the local community, fostering academic and personal growth among its young residents.
Score Breakdown
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Badlands Elementary School — Students at Badlands Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from ND state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.5/10.
How Badlands Elementary School Compares
See how Badlands Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 28% (2019) to 41% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 38% (2019) to 45% (2022).
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. ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Alexander), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 29.1 miles away, in nearby Williston), with a very similar rating. Additionally, GARDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 37.2 miles away, in nearby Williston), a more accessible option. 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 | 6.3 |
| WOLVES CENTER ACADEMY Watford City | 0.7 mi | — |
| WATFORD CITY HIGH SCHOOL Watford City | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| FOX HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Watford City | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| JOHNSON CORNERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Watford City | 15.5 mi | 7.0 |
| ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alexander | 17.0 mi | 7.6 |
| ALEXANDER HIGH SCHOOL Alexander | 17.0 mi | 5.6 |
| 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 | 3.0 |
| LEWIS AND CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston | 29.7 mi | 4.3 |
| WILKINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston | 30.0 mi | 5.5 |
| 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 | 3.6 |
| WILLISTON HIGH SCHOOL Williston | 32.2 mi | 3.7 |
| GARDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston | 37.2 mi | 5.6 |
| MISSOURI RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston | 36.1 mi | 4.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Badlands Elementary School 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| RAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ray, ND | 7.5 |
| VICTOR SOLHEIM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck, ND | 7.5 |
| CARRINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Carrington, ND | 7.6 |
| CLARA BARTON HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo, ND | 7.4 |
| EAGLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo, ND | 7.6 |
| PERKETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot, ND | 7.6 |
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 is ranked #93 out of 451 schools in ND.
What is Badlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Badlands Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Badlands Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Badlands Elementary School has 35.3% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watford City). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (701) 444-3626
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MCKENZIE CO 1- District Enrollment
- 2,105
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,006
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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