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Below Average

#379 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

4.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Dakota schools

#379 of 451

In Bowbells

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

BOWBELLS 14

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Bowbells Elementary School

4.4/10

Elementary School in Bowbells · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bowbells High School

5.7/10

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

Kenmare Elementary School

5.1/10

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

About Bowbells Elementary School

Bowbells Elementary School is a public elementary school in Bowbells, ND, part of BOWBELLS 14. Bowbells Elementary School serves approximately 57 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 8.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Bowbells Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #379 of 451 schools in ND.

Structured state assessment records for Bowbells Elementary School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.7 pts below ND schools
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • ND avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 57 students, Bowbells Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 8.1:1 students to teachers, Bowbells Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Bowbells Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-24.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,933
Chronic Absenteeism12.3%

Bowbells Elementary School — Students at Bowbells Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 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
75%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2011
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2012
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2013
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2014
Math
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
10%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Bowbells Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
16th percentile in ND
Academic
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.3%

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 9.4/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Lignite), which scores notably higher. Another option is POWERS LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Powers Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KENMARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Kenmare), which scores slightly 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 5.7
KENMARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kenmare 11.6 mi 5.1
KENMARE HIGH SCHOOL Kenmare 12.2 mi 5.5
BURKE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lignite 15.2 mi 9.4
BURKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Lignite 15.2 mi 7.3
POWERS LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Powers Lake 24.6 mi 6.6
POWERS LAKE HIGH SCHOOL Powers Lake 24.6 mi 8.0
STANLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Stanley 34.5 mi 4.9
STANLEY HIGH SCHOOL Stanley 34.9 mi 5.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot, ND 4.4
DAKOTA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fargo, ND 4.6
Twin Buttes Day School Hallilday, ND 4.2
MAX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Max, ND 4.7
ANAMOOSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Anamoose, ND 5.0
FORDVILLE-LANKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fordville, ND 5.1

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 ranks #379 of 451 schools in ND.

What is Bowbells Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bowbells Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Bowbells Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bowbells Elementary School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

10 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.3%

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

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