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Average

#185 of 451 schools in ND

Top 41% in state

Fessenden-bowdon High School

High School · FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25

PO Box 67, Fessenden, ND 58438

Enrollment

53

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Dakota schools

#185 of 451

In Fessenden

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Fessenden-bowdon High School

6.6/10

High School in Fessenden · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fessenden-bowdon Elementary School

8.5/10

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 High School

Fessenden-bowdon High School is a public high school in Fessenden, ND, part of FESSENDEN-BOWDON 25. Fessenden-bowdon High School serves approximately 53 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Fessenden-bowdon High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #185 of 451 schools in ND.

Structured state assessment records for Fessenden-bowdon High School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with ND schools
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • ND avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 53 students, Fessenden-bowdon High 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.

Test scores at Fessenden-bowdon High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Fessenden-bowdon High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.25 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate50%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,542
Chronic Absenteeism18.9%

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 55.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.7% (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
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
24.5%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2018
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
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: 8.5/10.

How Fessenden-bowdon High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
59th percentile in ND
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.9%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.7/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Harvey), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW ROCKFORD-SHEYENNE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby New Rockford), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MADDOCK HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Maddock), with a very similar rating. 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 8.5
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
MANDAREE HIGH SCHOOL Mandaree, ND 6.5
WARWICK HIGH SCHOOL Warwick, ND 6.5
GLEN ULLIN HIGH SCHOOL Glen Ullin, ND 6.7
ROLETTE HIGH SCHOOL Rolette, ND 6.7
MADDOCK HIGH SCHOOL Maddock, ND 6.8
BRAVE CENTER ACADEMY Mandan, ND 6.2

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 ranks #185 of 451 schools in ND.

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

Fessenden-bowdon High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fessenden-bowdon High School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.9%
4-Year Graduation
50%+

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

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