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Average

#197 of 451 schools in ND

Top 44% in state

Horizon Middle School

Middle School · BISMARCK 1

500 Ash Coulee Dr, Bismarck, ND 58503

Enrollment

1,059

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bismarck

#11 of 27

public schools

North Dakota middle schools

#10 of 38

In district

#9 of 26

BISMARCK 1

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Horizon Middle School

Horizon Middle School serves 1,059 students in grades 6-8 in Bismarck, North Dakota, making it a substantial middle school with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 and 73 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #174 out of 457 schools statewide, placing it in the 62nd percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10. Academically, Horizon Middle School shows solid performance with 53% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 44% achieve proficiency in mathematics.

The school's academic score of 7.2 out of 10 reflects steady educational foundations as students navigate these crucial middle school years. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $101,618 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of just 4.7% and median home values of $378,800, the surrounding neighborhood demonstrates strong economic stability that often correlates with educational support systems.

Located on Ash Coulee Drive, Horizon Middle School sits within Bismarck's small city environment, providing students with the benefits of a close-knit community while still accessing the resources and opportunities available in North Dakota's capital city region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53%
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,050

Horizon Middle School — Students at Horizon Middle School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ND state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
45%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
44%
ELA
53%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Horizon Middle School Compares

See how Horizon Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
57th percentile in ND
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
73 teachers

Location

500 Ash Coulee Dr, Bismarck, ND 58503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Horizon Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LIBERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HIGHLAND ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bismarck, see our Bismarck schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
LIBERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 0.7 mi 7.2
ST MARY'S CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Bismarck 1.1 mi 4.1
CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 1.3 mi 6.1
ELK RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 0.9 mi 4.8
GRIMSRUD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 1.9 mi 6.8
CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL Bismarck 1.6 mi 7.9
NORTHRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 2.2 mi 6.1
HIGHLAND ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 2.7 mi 7.0
LIGHT OF CHRIST CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Bismarck 2.8 mi 5.0
WILL-MOORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 2.9 mi 3.6
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 3.1 mi 5.9
CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL Bismarck 3.1 mi 6.2
SHILOH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bismarck 2.4 mi 6.2
MARTIN LUTHER SCHOOL Bismarck 3.1 mi 6.8
PIONEER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 2.8 mi 4.8
BISMARCK HIGH SCHOOL Bismarck 3.1 mi 5.4
ROBERT PLACE MILLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 2.8 mi 5.9
BECEP CENTER Bismarck 3.3 mi 5.4
ST MARY'S GRADE SCHOOL Bismarck 3.5 mi 5.6
SIMLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Bismarck 3.2 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,108

Median Home Value

$383,300

Median Rent

$1,131/mo

Population

37,081

College Educated

48.1%

Homeownership

74.6%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

4.1%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Horizon Middle School has a median household income of $105,108. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $383,300, with a median rent of $1,131/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DISCOVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fargo, ND 6.5
ERIK RAMSTAD MIDDLE SCHOOL Minot, ND 6.5
JIM HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL Minot, ND 6.5
CARL BEN EIELSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Fargo, ND 6.2
BEN FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Fargo, ND 5.8
CHENEY MIDDLE SCHOOL West Fargo, ND 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Horizon Middle School

What grades does Horizon Middle School serve?

Horizon Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Horizon Middle School?

Horizon Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,059 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Horizon Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Horizon Middle School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Horizon Middle School rank in ND?

Horizon Middle School is ranked #197 out of 451 schools in ND.

What is Horizon Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Horizon Middle School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Horizon Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Horizon Middle School has 43.7% math proficiency and 53.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Horizon Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Horizon Middle School a Title I school?

No, Horizon Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Horizon Middle School?

15.4% of students at Horizon Middle 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,684/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bismarck). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,059
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
73
Free/Reduced Lunch
15.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Burleigh County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BISMARCK 1
District Enrollment
14,118
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,570
District Rank
#9 of 26

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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