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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

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 metrics
Student Progress1.1Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-17.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,972

Fessenden-bowdon High School — Students at Fessenden-bowdon High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.7%
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
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.6/10
14th percentile in ND
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
1.1/10
Below average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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