Very Good
#81 of 451 schools in ND
Top 18% in state
North Star Elementary School
Elementary School · NORTH STAR 10
PO Box 489, Cando, ND 58324
Enrollment
210
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
210
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cando
#1 of 2
public schools
North Dakota elementary schools
#53 of 252
In district
#1 of 2
NORTH STAR 10
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About North Star Elementary School
North Star Elementary School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Cando, North Dakota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, this small but dedicated institution has an enrollment of 210 students and maintains a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.5 out of 10, placing it in the 73rd percentile among North Dakota schools, reflecting its commitment to academic performance and continuous improvement.
North Star Elementary aims to foster a nurturing environment where students can develop both academically and socially. In recent state assessments, 45% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading and Math, indicating areas with room for growth but also highlighting the school's dedication to student development. The school is situated in an area that values community and personal connections, making it a close-knit educational setting where every child feels supported.
North Star Elementary School stands as a pillar of learning and community in its rural North Dakota setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Star 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 metricsView breakdown
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North Star Elementary School — Students at North Star Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from ND state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.4/10.
How North Star Elementary School Compares
See how North Star Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
PO Box 489, Cando, ND 58324
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Star Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LEEDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Leeds), with a comparable rating. Another option is MT PLEASANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 31.7 miles away, in nearby Rolla), with a comparable rating. Additionally, MINNEWAUKAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 28.0 miles away, in nearby Minnewaukan), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cando, see our Cando schools guide .
Nearby Schools
18 within 31.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NORTH STAR HIGH SCHOOL Cando | 0.0 mi | 7.4 |
| LEEDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Leeds | 17.4 mi | 7.0 |
| LEEDS HIGH SCHOOL Leeds | 17.4 mi | 7.8 |
| STARKWEATHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Starkweather | 15.5 mi | — |
| STARKWEATHER HIGH SCHOOL Starkweather | 15.5 mi | — |
| MINNEWAUKAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minnewaukan | 28.0 mi | 6.8 |
| MINNEWAUKAN HIGH SCHOOL Minnewaukan | 28.0 mi | 5.3 |
| MUNICH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Munich | 21.0 mi | 6.3 |
| MUNICH HIGH SCHOOL Munich | 21.0 mi | — |
| DEVILS LAKE HIGH SCHOOL Devils Lake | 29.6 mi | 4.5 |
| SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF PK-8 Devils Lake | 29.8 mi | — |
| SWEETWATER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Devils Lake | 30.0 mi | 5.0 |
| CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Devils Lake | 30.5 mi | 5.0 |
| MINNIE H KINDERGARTEN CENTER Devils Lake | 30.8 mi | 6.6 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL AND ST MARY'S ACADEMY Devils Lake | 30.6 mi | 5.0 |
| PRAIRIE VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Devils Lake | 31.1 mi | 6.2 |
| MT PLEASANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rolla | 31.7 mi | 6.9 |
| MT PLEASANT HIGH SCHOOL Rolla | 31.7 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 58324 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,250
Median Home Value
$144,600
Median Rent
$757/mo
Population
1,354
College Educated
21.1%
Homeownership
70.6%
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Median Age
46.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Star Elementary School has a median household income of $56,250. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,600, with a median rent of $757/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BARNES COUNTY NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wimbledon, ND | 7.8 |
| ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alexander, ND | 7.6 |
| BM HANSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harvey, ND | 7.6 |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Valley City, ND | 7.5 |
| ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL Grand Forks, ND | 7.5 |
| CENTER-STANTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Center, ND | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Star Elementary School
What grades does North Star Elementary School serve?
North Star Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend North Star Elementary School?
North Star Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 210 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Star Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Star Elementary School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Star Elementary School rank in ND?
North Star Elementary School is ranked #81 out of 451 schools in ND.
What is North Star Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Star Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 North Star Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Star Elementary School has 45.3% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Star Elementary School a charter school?
No, North Star Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Star Elementary School a Title I school?
No, North Star Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Star Elementary School?
30.0% of students at North Star 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 210
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Towner County
- Phone
- (701) 968-4416
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NORTH STAR 10- District Enrollment
- 286
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,532
- 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.
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