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Average

#228 of 451 schools in ND

Prairie Elementary School

Elementary School · BILLINGS CO 1

PO Box 307, Medora, ND 58645

Enrollment

47

Student-Teacher

5.9:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Medora

#2 of 2

public schools

North Dakota elementary schools

#132 of 252

In district

#2 of 2

BILLINGS CO 1

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Prairie Elementary School

Prairie Elementary School serves 47 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in the small community of Medora, North Dakota. This regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.9:1 with 8 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and small class sizes that many families value. The school performs well academically, earning a 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 82nd out of 457 schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile among North Dakota elementary schools.

Students demonstrate solid foundational skills with 50% achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics across tested grade levels. Prairie Elementary serves a close-knit rural community where the median household income is $70,833 and 29% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.3%, reflecting the stable nature of this small town environment.

Located in Billings County's remote rural landscape, Prairie Elementary School operates in one of North Dakota's most sparsely populated areas, where the entire ZIP code is home to just 243 residents, creating a truly intimate educational setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 47 students, Prairie 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 5.9:1, Prairie 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, Prairie 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 Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-0.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,325

Prairie Elementary School — Students at Prairie Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

6.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 56.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Prairie Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in ND
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
6%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

PO Box 307, Medora, ND 58645

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Prairie Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DEMORES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 21.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTH HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby South Heart), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 25.4 miles away, in nearby Dickinson), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Medora, see our Medora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.7 mi
School Distance Rating
BELFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Belfield 16.4 mi 6.6
BELFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Belfield 16.4 mi 5.1
SOUTH HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South Heart 20.4 mi 7.4
SOUTH HEART HIGH SCHOOL South Heart 20.4 mi 4.9
SOUTH HEART HIGH VIRTUAL ACADEMY South Heart 20.4 mi
SOUTH HEART ELEMENTARY VIRTUAL ACADEMY South Heart 20.4 mi
DEMORES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Medora 21.2 mi 8.7
DICKINSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Dickinson 23.3 mi 4.8
PRAIRIE ROSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dickinson 23.9 mi 2.8
ROUGHRIDER ELEMENTARY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Dickinson 23.9 mi
DICKINSON HIGH SCHOOL Dickinson 24.7 mi 3.9
HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dickinson 24.2 mi 6.8
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dickinson 25.0 mi 3.9
TRINITY ELEMENTARY NORTH SCHOOL Dickinson 24.9 mi 7.3
TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Dickinson 24.9 mi 6.0
SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Dickinson 25.5 mi 5.4
ROUGHRIDER HIGH VIRTUAL ACADEMY Dickinson 25.5 mi 4.0
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dickinson 25.4 mi 7.3
P S BERG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dickinson 25.6 mi 5.6
TRINITY ELEMENTARY WEST Dickinson 25.7 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58645 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,125

Median Home Value

$347,200

Median Rent

$634/mo

Population

269

College Educated

31.3%

Homeownership

69.9%

Poverty Rate

20.1%

Median Age

65.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Prairie Elementary School has a median household income of $68,125. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,200, with a median rent of $634/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
FORDVILLE-LANKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fordville, ND 6.7
OBERON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oberon, ND 6.7
MARTIN LUTHER SCHOOL Bismarck, ND 6.8
ST ALPHONSUS SCHOOL Langdon, ND 6.8
FINLEY-SHARON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Finley, ND 6.9
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Carson, ND 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Prairie Elementary School

What grades does Prairie Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Prairie Elementary School?

Prairie Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 47 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elementary School is 5.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Prairie Elementary School rank in ND?

Prairie Elementary School is ranked #228 out of 451 schools in ND.

What is Prairie Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Prairie Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Elementary School has 56.2% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Prairie Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Prairie Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

6.4% of students at Prairie 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
6.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Billings County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BILLINGS CO 1
District Enrollment
105
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,657
District Rank
#2 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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