Below Average
#388 of 451 schools in ND
Fessenden-bowdon High School
High School · FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25
PO Box 67, Fessenden, ND 58438
Enrollment
53
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
4.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
53
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
4.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fessenden
#2 of 2
public schools
North Dakota high schools
#138 of 155
In district
#2 of 2
FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Fessenden-bowdon High School
Fessenden-Bowdon High School is a small, rural high school located in Fessenden, North Dakota. With an enrollment of just 53 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The dedicated team of five full-time equivalent teachers focuses on supporting students through their final years of education.
Fessenden-Bowdon High School currently ranks #447 out of 457 schools in North Dakota, indicating room for academic growth. On average, about 42% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 2.6 out of 10, reflecting the community’s ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes.
Set in a remote rural area with limited neighborhood data available, Fessenden-Bowdon High School serves its close-knit community with commitment and dedication.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 53 students, Fessenden-bowdon 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.
Located in a rural area, Fessenden-bowdon 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 metricsView breakdown
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Fessenden-bowdon High School — Students at Fessenden-bowdon High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from ND state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.1/10.
How Fessenden-bowdon High School Compares
See how Fessenden-bowdon High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
PO Box 67, Fessenden, ND 58438
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fessenden-bowdon High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HARVEY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Harvey), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW ROCKFORD-SHEYENNE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby New Rockford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MADDOCK HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Maddock), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fessenden, see our Fessenden schools guide .
Nearby Schools
10 within 34.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FESSENDEN-BOWDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fessenden | 0.0 mi | 7.4 |
| HARVEY HIGH SCHOOL Harvey | 16.3 mi | 7.3 |
| BM HANSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harvey | 16.3 mi | 7.6 |
| MADDOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Maddock | 22.2 mi | 7.2 |
| MADDOCK HIGH SCHOOL Maddock | 22.2 mi | 6.4 |
| NEW ROCKFORD-SHEYENNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Rockford | 23.1 mi | 5.8 |
| NEW ROCKFORD-SHEYENNE HIGH SCHOOL New Rockford | 23.1 mi | 7.1 |
| OBERON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oberon | 27.3 mi | 6.7 |
| MINNEWAUKAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minnewaukan | 34.0 mi | 6.8 |
| MINNEWAUKAN HIGH SCHOOL Minnewaukan | 34.0 mi | 5.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fessenden-bowdon High School has a median household income of $66,172. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $78,800, with a median rent of $605/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DRAYTON HIGH SCHOOL Drayton, ND | 4.6 |
| MANDAN VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL Mandan, ND | 5.1 |
| ROUGHRIDER HIGH VIRTUAL ACADEMY Dickinson, ND | 4.0 |
| BRAVE CENTER ACADEMY Mandan, ND | 5.2 |
| BOWBELLS HIGH SCHOOL Bowbells, ND | 5.3 |
| MINNEWAUKAN HIGH SCHOOL Minnewaukan, ND | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fessenden-bowdon High School
What grades does Fessenden-bowdon High School serve?
Fessenden-bowdon High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Fessenden-bowdon High School?
Fessenden-bowdon High School has an enrollment of approximately 53 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fessenden-bowdon High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Fessenden-bowdon High School is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fessenden-bowdon High School rank in ND?
Fessenden-bowdon High School is ranked #388 out of 451 schools in ND.
What is Fessenden-bowdon High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fessenden-bowdon High School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Fessenden-bowdon High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fessenden-bowdon High School has 41.7% math proficiency and 41.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fessenden-bowdon High School a charter school?
No, Fessenden-bowdon High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fessenden-bowdon High School a Title I school?
No, Fessenden-bowdon High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fessenden-bowdon High School?
24.5% of students at Fessenden-bowdon 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 53
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Wells County
- Phone
- (701) 547-3296
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25- District Enrollment
- 195
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,542
- District Rank
- #2 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.
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