How Did Our Local Schools Stack Up? U.S. News Ranks North Dakota High Schools

School’s out for the summer, and students and teachers are enjoying some well-earned downtime. But before the final bell rang, U.S. News & World Report released its latest rankings of high schools across the country — and North Dakota’s schools, including many in our region, had their moment in the spotlight.

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Small-Town Schools Hold Strong in Statewide Rankings

According to the report, several local schools landed in the same ranking tier. Stanley, Parshall, New Town, Killdeer, Grenora, Trenton (Eight Mile), Divide County, and Alexander all tied in the 66–97 range statewide. These schools continue to provide solid educational opportunities in smaller, close-knit communities.

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Local Standouts: Ray, Tioga, and Williston Make Their Mark

A few area schools stood out a bit more. Williston High School came in at 57th in North Dakota, while Tioga placed slightly higher at 52nd. Ray High School ranked 45th, showing a strong performance for a small school district.

Watford City and Powers Lake Shine in State Rankings

Watford City High School made a mark as well, coming in 31st in the state. That’s a notable achievement for a community that’s seen rapid growth and change in recent years. And perhaps most impressive in the region, Powers Lake High School earned the 22nd spot statewide — a proud moment for the town and its students.

Bismarck Century Claims Top Spot in North Dakota

So, who took top honors in the Peace Garden State? That would be Bismarck Century High School, which earned the #1 spot in North Dakota.

How Were The Rankings Decided?

U.S. News ranks high schools using a comprehensive system that considers various student performance variables. College preparation is 30% of a school's score, based on how many 12th graders passed AP or IB tests, with passing scores tripled. State assessment competence and performance account for 20%, measuring students' performance on compulsory standardized examinations and how their scores compare to demographic expectations. Underserved students—Black, Hispanic, or low-income—perform better than their peers statewide to earn an additional 10%. The college curriculum's emphasis on pupils who pass several AP or IB tests across subjects adds 10%. Graduate rate is the remaining 10%, showing how many ninth graders graduate in four years.

Overall, it’s clear that our local schools are holding their own. With dedicated teachers and determined students, our region continues to make strides in education. Whether your local high school was near the top or further down the list, every student and teacher deserves a round of applause for another year of hard work.