Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-24.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,534

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 23.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ND state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
30%
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: 4.2/10.

How Bowbells Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
16th percentile in ND
Academic
2.0/10
2.0/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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.

10 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Get 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.