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Needs Improvement

#451 of 451 schools in ND

Based on limited data

Mcvay Elementary School

Elementary School · WILLISTON BASIN 7

PO Box 1407, Williston, ND 58802

Enrollment

431

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

1.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Williston

#8 of 8

public schools

North Dakota elementary schools

#252 of 252

In district

#8 of 8

WILLISTON BASIN 7

About Mcvay Elementary School

MCVAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is a small, rural public school located in Williston, North Dakota. Serving kindergarten through fourth grade, MCVAY has an enrollment of 431 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 21.6:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s setting is remote, offering a close-knit community feel where students receive personalized attention.

MCVAY ELEMENTARY focuses on providing foundational education in the early years but has room for academic growth as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and state ranking of #430 out of 457 schools, placing it in the 6th percentile statewide. Students perform at a lower proficiency level in both ELA/Reading (17%) and Math (22%), indicating areas for improvement. Despite these challenges, MCVAY ELEMENTARY continues to nurture young learners within its rural community setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Mcvay Elementary School is 21.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics1.9Significantly Below Average60%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected-20.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average40%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,440

Mcvay Elementary School — Students at Mcvay Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 17.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 2 test records from ND state assessments. About our data

How Mcvay Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
1.8/10
0th percentile in ND
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

PO Box 1407, Williston, ND 58802

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mcvay Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 21.2 miles away, in nearby Alexander), which scores notably higher. Another option is BADLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 28.8 miles away, in nearby Watford City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, RAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Ray), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Williston, see our Williston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 29.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL Williston 0.5 mi 7.2
RICKARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 0.6 mi 3.0
WILKINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 1.4 mi 5.5
WILLISTON TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Williston 1.6 mi 8.6
DEL EASTON ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Williston 1.6 mi
LEWIS AND CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 1.5 mi 4.3
HAGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 2.6 mi 3.6
WILLISTON HIGH SCHOOL Williston 3.7 mi 3.7
MISSOURI RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 7.3 mi 4.1
GARDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston 9.5 mi 5.6
EIGHT MILE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Trenton 11.4 mi 6.0
EIGHT MILE HIGH SCHOOL Trenton 11.4 mi 5.4
ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alexander 21.2 mi 7.6
ALEXANDER HIGH SCHOOL Alexander 21.2 mi 5.6
WATFORD CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL Watford City 28.5 mi 6.3
BADLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Watford City 28.8 mi 7.5
RAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ray 24.6 mi 7.5
RAY HIGH SCHOOL Ray 24.6 mi 5.9
WOLVES CENTER ACADEMY Watford City 28.6 mi
WATFORD CITY HIGH SCHOOL Watford City 29.5 mi 5.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
PRAIRIE ROSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dickinson, ND 2.8
RICKARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williston, ND 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mcvay Elementary School

What grades does Mcvay Elementary School serve?

Mcvay Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Mcvay Elementary School?

Mcvay Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 431 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Mcvay Elementary School is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mcvay Elementary School rank in ND?

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

What is Mcvay Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcvay Elementary School has a composite rating of 1.8 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 Mcvay Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcvay Elementary School has 22.0% math proficiency and 17.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mcvay Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Mcvay Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

34.6% of students at Mcvay 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

City Safety
High (2,756/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Williams County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

WILLISTON BASIN 7
District Enrollment
5,235
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,031
District Rank
#8 of 8

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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