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
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.