The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a county which have placed in the top 10% of all schools statewide.
A school's overall rank is based on its combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Schools are ranked and compared within their own state only.
Statewide Range: 20%
40%
Avg. Statewide: 29%
Top-Ranked Counties With Best Public Schools in North Dakota (2026)
County
% of Schools in
Top 10% Statewide
Top 10% Statewide
Top-Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #11.
40%
(4 out of 10)
(4 out of 10)
- Central Valley Elementary School
Rank: #11 of 449 (Top 5%)
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%) - Central Valley High School
Rank: #18 of 449 (Top 5%)
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%) - Peter Boe Jr Elementary School
Rank: #29 of 449 (Top 10%)
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Traill County, ND Schools
Rank: #22.
27%
(3 out of 11)
(3 out of 11)
- North Border-walhalla Elementary School
Rank: #4 of 449 (Top 1%)
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%) - Cavalier High School
Rank: #23 of 449 (Top 10%)
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%) - North Border-pembina Elementary School
Rank: #25 of 449 (Top 10%)
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Pembina County, ND Schools
Rank: #33.
20%
(3 out of 15)
(3 out of 15)
- Wahpeton Middle School
Rank: #28 of 449 (Top 10%)
(Math: 58% | Reading: 60%) - Hankinson Elementary School
Rank: #35 of 449 (Top 10%)
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%) - Richland Elementary School
Rank: #38 of 449 (Top 10%)
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Richland County, ND Schools
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
