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#273 of 451 schools in ND

Bowbells High School

High School · BOWBELLS 14

PO Box 279, Bowbells, ND 58721

Enrollment

40

Student-Teacher

8:1

Score

5.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Dakota schools

#273 of 451

In Bowbells

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

BOWBELLS 14

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Bowbells High School

5.7/10

High School in Bowbells · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bowbells Elementary School

4.4/10

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 High School

Bowbells High School is a public high school in Bowbells, ND, part of BOWBELLS 14. Bowbells High School serves approximately 40 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 8:1 student-teacher ratio. Bowbells High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #273 of 451 schools in ND.

Structured state assessment records for Bowbells High School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts below ND schools
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • ND avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 40 students, Bowbells High 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.

Test scores at Bowbells High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

At 8:1 students to teachers, Bowbells High School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,933
Chronic Absenteeism32.5%

Bowbells High School — Students at Bowbells High School score 30% 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

20%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 55.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.5% (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
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2010
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
49.5%
2016
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2018
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
30%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Bowbells High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
40th percentile in ND
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.4/10
Excellent
Environment
8.7/10
Excellent
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.5%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·5 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO Box 279, Bowbells, ND 58721

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bowbells High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. POWERS LAKE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Powers Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is BURKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Lignite), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KENMARE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Kenmare), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bowbells, see our Bowbells schools guide .

Nearby Schools

9 within 34.9 mi
School Distance Rating
BOWBELLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bowbells 0.0 mi 4.4
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
SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Dickinson, ND 5.8
DRAYTON HIGH SCHOOL Drayton, ND 5.6
NEWBURG-UNITED HIGH SCHOOL Newburg, ND 5.3
BRAVE CENTER ACADEMY Mandan, ND 6.2
FAIRMOUNT HIGH SCHOOL Fairmount, ND 5.0
MANDAREE HIGH SCHOOL Mandaree, ND 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bowbells High School

What grades does Bowbells High School serve?

Bowbells High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Bowbells High School?

Bowbells High School has an enrollment of approximately 40 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bowbells High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bowbells High School is 8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bowbells High School rank in ND?

Bowbells High School ranks #273 of 451 schools in ND.

What is Bowbells High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bowbells High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bowbells High School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Bowbells High School a charter school?

No, Bowbells High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bowbells High School a Title I school?

No, Bowbells High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bowbells High School?

20.0% of students at Bowbells 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.

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
7th – 12th
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Burke County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.5%

District

BOWBELLS 14
District Enrollment
97
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,933
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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