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Excellent

#35 of 451 schools in ND

Top 8% in state

Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School

Elementary School · FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25

PO Box 67, Fessenden, ND 58438

Enrollment

141

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

8.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Dakota schools

#35 of 451

In Fessenden

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School

8.5/10

Elementary School in Fessenden · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fessenden-bowdon High School

6.6/10

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

Harvey High School

7.7/10

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

About Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School

Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fessenden, ND, part of FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25. Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School serves approximately 141 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #35 of 451 schools in ND.

Structured state assessment records for Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.4 pts above ND schools
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • ND avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 141 students, Fessenden-bowdon 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.

Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.22 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,542
Chronic Absenteeism12.1%

Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School — Students at Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.4% (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
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2010
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2011
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2012
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2013
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2015
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
57%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School Compares

See how Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.5/10
93th percentile in ND
Academic
8.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.1%

Location

PO Box 67, Fessenden, ND 58438

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MADDOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Maddock), with a comparable rating. Another option is BM HANSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Harvey), a more accessible option. Additionally, NEW ROCKFORD-SHEYENNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby New Rockford), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fessenden, see our Fessenden schools guide .

Nearby Schools

10 within 34.0 mi
School Distance Rating
FESSENDEN-BOWDON HIGH SCHOOL Fessenden 0.0 mi 6.6
HARVEY HIGH SCHOOL Harvey 16.3 mi 7.7
BM HANSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harvey 16.3 mi 5.7
MADDOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Maddock 22.2 mi 7.5
MADDOCK HIGH SCHOOL Maddock 22.2 mi 6.8
NEW ROCKFORD-SHEYENNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Rockford 23.1 mi 5.7
NEW ROCKFORD-SHEYENNE HIGH SCHOOL New Rockford 23.1 mi 7.5
OBERON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oberon 27.3 mi 5.3
MINNEWAUKAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minnewaukan 34.0 mi 5.7
MINNEWAUKAN HIGH SCHOOL Minnewaukan 34.0 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58438 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,172

Median Home Value

$78,800

Median Rent

$605/mo

Population

688

College Educated

16.3%

Homeownership

81.1%

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Median Age

54.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BARNES COUNTY NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wimbledon, ND 8.5
LOUIS L'AMOUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jamestown, ND 8.5
HARWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harwood, ND 8.4
LAKOTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakota, ND 8.4
WILTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wilton, ND 8.6
CENTRAL VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buxton, ND 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School

What grades does Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School serve?

Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School?

Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 141 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School rank in ND?

Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School ranks #35 of 451 schools in ND.

What is Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School?

25.5% of students at Fessenden-bowdon 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
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
141
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Wells County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.1%

District

FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25
District Enrollment
195
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,542
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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