Below Average
#381 of 451 schools in ND
Bowbells Elementary School
Elementary School · BOWBELLS 14
PO Box 279, Bowbells, ND 58721
Enrollment
57
Student-Teacher
8.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
57
Student-Teacher
8.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bowbells
#2 of 2
public schools
North Dakota elementary schools
#209 of 252
In district
#2 of 2
BOWBELLS 14
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Bowbells Elementary School
Bowbells Elementary School is a small rural public school located in Bowbells, North Dakota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 57 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.1:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention from the seven full-time equivalent teachers on staff. While the academic performance at Bowbells Elementary School is currently rated lower compared to other schools in North Dakota, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.6 out of 10, the school continues to focus on fostering student development and growth.
Test results show that only 23% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Math. The remote rural setting of Bowbells Elementary School offers a tight-knit community where teachers and families work closely together to support each child's educational journey. This close-knit environment helps build strong relationships between educators, parents, and students, creating a supportive learning atmosphere for all involved.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 57 students, Bowbells Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.1:1, Bowbells Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Bowbells Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Bowbells Elementary School — Students at Bowbells Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.1%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.2/10.
How Bowbells Elementary School Compares
See how Bowbells Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 10% (2022).
Location
PO Box 279, Bowbells, ND 58721
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bowbells Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BURKE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.7/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Lignite), which scores notably higher. Another option is STANLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 34.5 miles away, in nearby Stanley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KENMARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Kenmare), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bowbells, see our Bowbells schools guide .
Nearby Schools
9 within 34.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BOWBELLS HIGH SCHOOL Bowbells | 0.0 mi | 5.3 |
| KENMARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kenmare | 11.6 mi | 6.4 |
| KENMARE HIGH SCHOOL Kenmare | 12.2 mi | 4.5 |
| BURKE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lignite | 15.2 mi | 9.7 |
| BURKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Lignite | 15.2 mi | 5.6 |
| POWERS LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Powers Lake | 24.6 mi | 6.2 |
| POWERS LAKE HIGH SCHOOL Powers Lake | 24.6 mi | 8.4 |
| STANLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Stanley | 34.5 mi | 6.5 |
| STANLEY HIGH SCHOOL Stanley | 34.9 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 58721 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,833
Median Home Value
$136,500
Median Rent
$525/mo
Population
426
College Educated
21.3%
Homeownership
80.4%
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Median Age
47.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bowbells Elementary School has a median household income of $90,833. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $136,500, with a median rent of $525/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| FAIRMOUNT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairmount, ND | 4.8 |
| DAKOTA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fargo, ND | 4.6 |
| MAPLE RIVER COLONY SCHOOL Ellendale, ND | 5.1 |
| MENOKEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Menoken, ND | 5.1 |
| WING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wing, ND | 5.2 |
| MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot, ND | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bowbells Elementary School
What grades does Bowbells Elementary School serve?
Bowbells Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Bowbells Elementary School?
Bowbells Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 57 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bowbells Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bowbells Elementary School is 8.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bowbells Elementary School rank in ND?
Bowbells Elementary School is ranked #381 out of 451 schools in ND.
What is Bowbells Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bowbells Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Bowbells Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bowbells Elementary School has 23.3% math proficiency and 23.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bowbells Elementary School a charter school?
No, Bowbells Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bowbells Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Bowbells Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bowbells Elementary School?
21.1% of students at Bowbells 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 57
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Burke County
- Phone
- (701) 377-2396
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BOWBELLS 14- District Enrollment
- 97
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,933
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.