Average
#327 of 451 schools in ND
Bismarck High School
High School · BISMARCK 1
800 N 8th St, Bismarck, ND 58501
Enrollment
1,371
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,371
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bismarck
#18 of 27
public schools
North Dakota high schools
#115 of 155
In district
#17 of 26
BISMARCK 1
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Bismarck High School
Bismarck High School serves 1,371 students in grades 9-12 in North Dakota's capital city. With 85 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1, providing reasonable class sizes for instruction and student support. Academically, the school has room for growth, with 51% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 30% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school ranks 266th out of 457 high schools statewide, placing it in the 42nd percentile among North Dakota schools. These results suggest the school is focusing on student development and working to strengthen academic outcomes across all grade levels. Located at 800 N 8th St, the school draws from a community where the median household income is $65,777 and 33% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood has a poverty rate of 13.2%, with median home values around $266,100, reflecting a stable middle-class community. As a regular public school in Bismarck's small city setting, the high school serves as an important educational hub for families throughout Burleigh County. The school's substantial enrollment makes it one of the larger educational institutions in the area, providing students with access to comprehensive high school programming in North Dakota's seat of government.
Score Breakdown
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Bismarck High School — Students at Bismarck High School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.7%
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: 9.2/10.
How Bismarck High School Compares
See how Bismarck High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 51% (2022).
Location
800 N 8th St, Bismarck, ND 58501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bismarck High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SOUTH CENTRAL ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bismarck, see our Bismarck schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MARTIN LUTHER SCHOOL Bismarck | 0.2 mi | 6.8 |
| WILL-MOORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck | 0.2 mi | 3.6 |
| ST MARY'S GRADE SCHOOL Bismarck | 0.4 mi | 5.6 |
| LIGHT OF CHRIST CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Bismarck | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| BECEP CENTER Bismarck | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| PIONEER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck | 0.7 mi | 4.8 |
| NORTHRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL Bismarck | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| SIMLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Bismarck | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| JEANNETTE MYHRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck | 1.3 mi | 4.0 |
| WACHTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Bismarck | 1.4 mi | 4.7 |
| THE INNOVATION SCHOOL Bismarck | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| SOUTH CENTRAL ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Bismarck | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| DOROTHY MOSES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| GRIMSRUD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL Bismarck | 1.8 mi | 7.9 |
| SHILOH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bismarck | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| ROBERT PLACE MILLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| HIGHLAND ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 58501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,796
Median Home Value
$276,000
Median Rent
$938/mo
Population
28,571
College Educated
35.4%
Homeownership
63.3%
Avg Commute
13.9 min
Poverty Rate
13%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bismarck High School has a median household income of $69,796. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $276,000, with a median rent of $938/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| LEGACY HIGH SCHOOL Bismarck, ND | 5.4 |
| WEST FARGO SHEYENNE HIGH SCHOOL West Fargo, ND | 5.8 |
| CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Grand Forks, ND | 6.3 |
| MAGIC CITY CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL Minot, ND | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bismarck High School
What grades does Bismarck High School serve?
Bismarck High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Bismarck High School?
Bismarck High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,371 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bismarck High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bismarck High School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bismarck High School rank in ND?
Bismarck High School is ranked #327 out of 451 schools in ND.
What is Bismarck High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bismarck High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Bismarck High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bismarck High School has 26.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bismarck High School a charter school?
No, Bismarck High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bismarck High School a Title I school?
No, Bismarck High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bismarck High School?
23.7% of students at Bismarck High 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 (Bismarck). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,371
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 85
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Burleigh County
- Phone
- (701) 323-4800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BISMARCK 1- District Enrollment
- 14,118
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,570
- District Rank
- #17 of 26
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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