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Average

#337 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

5.3

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bowbells

#1 of 2

public schools

North Dakota high schools

#122 of 155

In district

#1 of 2

BOWBELLS 14

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Bowbells High School

Bowbells High School is a small rural high school located in the remote area of Bowbells, North Dakota. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 40 students and five full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 8:1. The school's setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers can provide individualized attention to each student.

Academically, Bowbells High School scores above average for proficiency rates in both English Language Arts and Math at 60% proficient or above, though the overall MySchoolScout rating of 3.6/10 suggests there is room for improvement. The school ranks 406th out of 457 schools in North Dakota, placing it in the 11th percentile statewide. Bowbells High School is situated in a rural area that provides a unique environment for students to thrive and build strong community connections.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 40 students, Bowbells High 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, Bowbells High 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 High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-13.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,534

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 60.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.0%
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
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: 1.3/10.

How Bowbells High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in ND
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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 8.4/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Powers Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is BURKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Lignite), with a very similar rating. Additionally, STANLEY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 34.9 miles away, in nearby Stanley), 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 4.7
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 High 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
BRAVE CENTER ACADEMY Mandan, ND 5.2
MINOT PUBLIC SCHOOLS 9-12 VIRTUAL ACADEMY Minot, ND 5.2
SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Dickinson, ND 5.4
BURKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Lignite, ND 5.6
NEWBURG-UNITED HIGH SCHOOL Newburg, ND 5.8
DRAYTON HIGH SCHOOL Drayton, ND 4.6

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 is ranked #337 out of 451 schools in ND.

What is Bowbells High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bowbells High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bowbells High School has 60.0% math proficiency and 60.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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 →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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

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