Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#411 of 451 schools in ND

Custer Elementary School

Elementary School · MANDAN 1

205 8th Ave NE, Mandan, ND 58554

Enrollment

129

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Dakota schools

#411 of 451

In Mandan

#8 of 11

public schools

In district

#7 of 10

MANDAN 1

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Custer Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Custer Elementary School

3.9/10

Elementary School in Mandan · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mandan High School

3.9/10

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

Lewis and Clark Elementary School

4.2/10

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

About Custer Elementary School

Custer Elementary School is a public elementary school in Mandan, ND, part of MANDAN 1. Custer Elementary School serves approximately 129 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Custer Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #411 of 451 schools in ND.

Structured state assessment records for Custer Elementary School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.0
  • ND avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 129 students, Custer 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 9.9:1 students to teachers, Custer Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

35% of students at Custer Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.95 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,150
Chronic Absenteeism34.9%

Custer Elementary School — Students at Custer Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 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
95%
ELA
64.5%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2016
Math
34.5%
ELA
24.5%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Custer Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
9th percentile in ND
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.9%

Location

205 8th Ave NE, Mandan, ND 58554

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Custer Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. RED TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Bismarck), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mandan, see our Mandan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
MANDAN HIGH SCHOOL Mandan 1.1 mi 3.9
LEWIS AND CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mandan 1.2 mi 4.2
MARY STARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mandan 1.2 mi 3.6
FT LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mandan 1.6 mi 5.3
BRAVE CENTER ACADEMY Mandan 1.1 mi 6.2
MANDAN VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL Mandan 1.1 mi 3.2
MANDAN K-8 ELEMENTARY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Mandan 1.1 mi
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mandan 1.2 mi 4.5
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC MONTESSORI SCHOOL Mandan 1.2 mi 7.1
MANDAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Mandan 2.0 mi 4.8
ELK RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 3.3 mi 4.7
HIGHLAND ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 3.4 mi 6.8
RED TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mandan 3.9 mi 8.3
CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 3.7 mi 7.0
GRIMSRUD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 3.8 mi 5.7
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 4.1 mi 7.6
HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL Bismarck 4.2 mi 6.0
SOUTH CENTRAL ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Bismarck 4.3 mi 5.0
CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL Bismarck 4.2 mi 6.2
LIGHT OF CHRIST CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Bismarck 4.5 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58554 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,168

Median Home Value

$266,900

Median Rent

$1,048/mo

Population

29,175

College Educated

30.7%

Homeownership

73.8%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

36.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ASHLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ashley, ND 3.8
HOPE PAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Page, ND 3.8
MINNIE H KINDERGARTEN CENTER Devils Lake, ND 3.8
WISHEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wishek, ND 3.7
MEDINA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Medina, ND 3.6
NORTH SARGENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gwinner, ND 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Custer Elementary School

What grades does Custer Elementary School serve?

Custer Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Custer Elementary School?

Custer Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 129 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Custer Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Custer Elementary School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Custer Elementary School rank in ND?

Custer Elementary School ranks #411 of 451 schools in ND.

What is Custer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Custer Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Custer Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Custer Elementary School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Custer Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Custer Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Custer Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Custer Elementary School?

73.6% of students at Custer 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
68 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
129
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Morton County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.9%

District

MANDAN 1
District Enrollment
4,437
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,150
District Rank
#7 of 10

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.