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Excellent

#2 of 451 schools in ND

Top 1% in state

Kulm Elementary School

Elementary School · KULM 7

PO Box G, Kulm, ND 58456

Enrollment

88

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

9.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kulm

#1 of 2

public schools

North Dakota elementary schools

#2 of 252

In district

#1 of 2

KULM 7

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Kulm Elementary School

Kulm Elementary School is a public school in Kulm, North Dakota, serving students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. With 88 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, classes stay small and teachers stay accessible — a structural advantage that shows up directly in outcomes. The numbers here are hard to ignore.

Kulm Elementary ranks second out of 452 public schools across North Dakota and second out of 252 elementary schools statewide — putting it at the very top of the state's academic landscape. MySchoolScout scores the school a 9.5 out of 10 overall, earning it an Exceptional rating. The academic score of 9.1 is strong on its own, but the growth score of 9.9 is the real standout: it measures how much students improve year over year, and Kulm's figure outperforms 100% of North Dakota schools.

That means regardless of where students start, they are consistently advancing faster than peers across the state. For families in the Kulm area weighing their options, the data makes a clear case. Few elementary schools in North Dakota match this combination of high achievement and exceptional student growth.

This is a school where both performance and progress point in the same direction.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 88 students, Kulm Elementary 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Kulm Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Kulm Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+6.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,339

Kulm Elementary School — Students at Kulm Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Kulm Elementary School Compares

See how Kulm Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.5/10
100th percentile in ND
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

PO Box G, Kulm, ND 58456

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kulm Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frederick Area Elementary - 02 (rated 9.0/10, 38.5 miles away, in nearby Frederick), with a comparable rating. Another option is GACKLE-STREETER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 24.5 miles away, in nearby Gackle), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Spring Creek Colony Elementary - 04 (rated 7.8/10, 27.2 miles away, in nearby Leola), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kulm, see our Kulm schools guide .

Nearby Schools

17 within 38.5 mi
School Distance Rating
KULM HIGH SCHOOL Kulm 0.0 mi 6.6
EDGELEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Edgeley 11.7 mi 5.5
EDGELEY HIGH SCHOOL Edgeley 11.7 mi 5.5
WILLOW BANK COLONY SCHOOL Edgeley 18.0 mi
GACKLE-STREETER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gackle 24.5 mi 8.6
GACKLE-STREETER HIGH SCHOOL Gackle 24.5 mi
Spring Creek Colony Elementary - 04 Leola 27.2 mi 7.8
ASHLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ashley 27.7 mi 3.8
ASHLEY HIGH SCHOOL Ashley 27.7 mi 7.3
ELLENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ellendale 28.8 mi 6.8
ELLENDALE HIGH SCHOOL Ellendale 28.8 mi 7.0
ELLENDALE HIGH VIRTUAL ACADEMY Ellendale 28.8 mi
MONTPELIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Montpelier 32.4 mi 6.0
MONTPELIER HIGH SCHOOL Montpelier 32.4 mi 7.2
Frederick Area Elementary - 02 Frederick 38.5 mi 9.0
Frederick High School - 01 Frederick 38.5 mi 7.8
Frederick Area Middle School - 03 Frederick 38.5 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58456 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,250

Median Home Value

$95,000

Median Rent

$742/mo

Population

622

College Educated

16.8%

Homeownership

85.2%

Poverty Rate

10.5%

Median Age

34

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kulm Elementary School has a median household income of $67,250. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $95,000, with a median rent of $742/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
HEBRON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hebron, ND 9.4
VALLEY-EDINBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-CRYSTAL Crystal, ND 9.1
MIDKOTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Binford, ND 9.0
DEMORES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Medora, ND 8.7
GACKLE-STREETER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gackle, ND 8.6
BELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot, ND 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kulm Elementary School

What grades does Kulm Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Kulm Elementary School?

Kulm Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 88 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kulm Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Kulm Elementary School is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kulm Elementary School rank in ND?

Kulm Elementary School is ranked #2 out of 451 schools in ND.

What is Kulm Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kulm Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.5 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 Kulm Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kulm Elementary School has 47.8% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kulm Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Kulm Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Kulm Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kulm Elementary School?

29.5% of students at Kulm 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
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
88
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
LaMoure County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

KULM 7
District Enrollment
130
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,901
District Rank
#1 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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