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#288 of 451 schools in ND

Cheney Middle School

Middle School · WEST FARGO 6

825 17th Ave E, West Fargo, ND 58078

Enrollment

979

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

5.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Fargo

#6 of 14

public schools

North Dakota middle schools

#22 of 38

In district

#9 of 22

WEST FARGO 6

Academic performance

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Cheney Middle School

Cheney Middle School serves 979 students in grades 6-8 in West Fargo, North Dakota, offering a substantial middle school experience with an 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio supported by 86 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #179 out of 457 schools statewide, placing it in the 61st percentile among North Dakota schools with a 6.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. Academically, Cheney Middle School shows balanced performance with 43% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Mathematics, indicating consistent areas for continued growth and development across core subjects.

The school's academic focus provides a solid foundation for students transitioning from elementary to high school. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $97,231 and 45% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of just 6.7% and median home values of $283,200, the surrounding neighborhood reflects a stable, education-focused environment that supports student learning.

Cheney Middle School operates in West Fargo's mid-size suburban setting, serving families in a thriving community that values educational achievement and provides strong socioeconomic support for student success.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43%
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment6.0Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,491

Cheney Middle School — Students at Cheney Middle School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.3%
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
51%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
43%
ELA
43%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Cheney Middle School Compares

See how Cheney Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
36th percentile in ND
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
86 teachers

Location

825 17th Ave E, West Fargo, ND 58078

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cheney Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Fargo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WEST FARGO HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Fargo, see our West Fargo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
WEST FARGO HIGH SCHOOL West Fargo 0.9 mi 7.0
EASTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Fargo 1.0 mi 5.7
TRINITY ELEMENTARY West Fargo 1.0 mi 6.6
WILLOW PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 0.8 mi 4.3
FREEDOM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Fargo 1.1 mi 4.7
L E BERGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Fargo 1.2 mi 5.9
EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER West Fargo 1.5 mi 6.5
SOUTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Fargo 1.4 mi 5.1
WEST FARGO COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL West Fargo 1.6 mi
WEST FARGO HIGH VIRTUAL ACADEMY West Fargo 1.7 mi 5.4
WEST FARGO ELEMENTARY VIRTUAL ACADEMY West Fargo 1.7 mi
WEST FARGO MIDDLE VIRTUAL ACADEMY West Fargo 1.7 mi
LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL West Fargo 2.0 mi 4.3
BROOKS HARBOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Fargo 1.5 mi 5.2
WEST FARGO SHEYENNE HIGH SCHOOL West Fargo 2.3 mi 5.8
WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Fargo 1.8 mi 7.2
INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 2.3 mi 7.1
AURORA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Fargo 2.3 mi 5.0
OSGOOD ELEM SCHOOL Fargo 2.8 mi 5.5
KENNEDY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 3.1 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58078 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,206

Median Home Value

$303,200

Median Rent

$1,073/mo

Population

39,946

College Educated

45.4%

Homeownership

64.4%

Avg Commute

18.3 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

32.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cheney Middle School has a median household income of $97,206. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $303,200, with a median rent of $1,073/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BEN FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Fargo, ND 5.8
CARL BEN EIELSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Fargo, ND 6.2
SIMLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Bismarck, ND 5.3
MANDAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Mandan, ND 5.2
DISCOVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fargo, ND 6.5
ERIK RAMSTAD MIDDLE SCHOOL Minot, ND 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cheney Middle School

What grades does Cheney Middle School serve?

Cheney Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Cheney Middle School?

Cheney Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 979 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cheney Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cheney Middle School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cheney Middle School rank in ND?

Cheney Middle School is ranked #288 out of 451 schools in ND.

What is Cheney Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cheney Middle School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Cheney Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cheney Middle School has 44.7% math proficiency and 47.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cheney Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Cheney Middle School a Title I school?

No, Cheney Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cheney Middle School?

41.9% of students at Cheney Middle 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,183/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Fargo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
979
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
86
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Cass County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

WEST FARGO 6
District Enrollment
12,865
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,701
District Rank
#9 of 22

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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