2026 data 29 schools ND

Best Schools in Fargo, ND

29 public K-12 schools in Fargo from NCES Common Core of Data: enrollment, grade span, demographics, and Civil Rights Data Collection statistics for every active campus.

29 public schools ranked by quality score. NCES CCD 2022-23 data.

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions families make. This page ranks every public school in Fargo, ND using a composite quality score based on student-teacher ratios, counselor access, gifted program availability, and attendance rates. All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data for the 2022-23 school year.

29
Schools
13,379
Students
Avg Quality
11.7:1
Avg Class Size

How the Fargo Public-School Landscape Breaks Down

Fargo, ND enrolls 13,379 students across 29 public schools reporting to the National Center for Education Statistics. The average student-teacher ratio across the city is 11.7:1, Schools must report at least five campuses in a city to appear in this listing, which is why very small towns may redirect to the broader county or state view.

The highest-ranked campus in Fargo is Fargo Davies High School, scoring 34/100 (F) with 1,277 enrolled students at the high level. Families should treat any single ranking as a starting point rather than a verdict — a school serving fewer at-risk students or offering more AP classes will score higher on resource-based composites even if individual teachers or programs elsewhere are stronger. The quality score framework is transparent and rebuilt from raw NCES and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) inputs, so each component can be inspected on the individual school pages linked in the table below.

Fargo schools sit within multiple district boundaries, which matters for property taxes, redistricting votes, and bond measures. Each district files its own NCES F-33 financial return, meaning per-pupil spending can vary noticeably even between neighbouring campuses in the same city. Use the table to sort by enrollment, level, or district, then click any school name for campus-level demographics, Title I status, counselor and nurse staffing, AP courses, chronic-absenteeism rates, and district per-pupil spending. The sidebar links also connect Fargo housing costs, wage data, and crime statistics — context many parents weigh alongside test-adjacent school signals when relocating.

Fargo school enrollment varies 58× across entities

Fargo school enrollment ranges from 22 students (lowest) to 1,277 students (highest), a spread of 1,255 students. That ratio is among the widest observed and reflects extreme heterogeneity inside a single city — small specialty programs sit alongside large comprehensive campuses, often serving very different family demographics inside walking distance. Per-school staffing, programme depth, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same city based on enrollment shape — a 200-student magnet runs a different operational model than a 2,000-student comprehensive high school.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Fargo student-teacher ratio is 11.7:1 — low (typically associated with smaller schools or per-school staffing investment that often correlates with stronger per-student supports)

student-teacher ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE classroom teachers against total enrollment — push-in specialists, English-language aides, special-education co-teachers, and counselors are not included in most reporting Lower values often correlate with smaller scale and population characteristics rather than higher resource budgets per se.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe

# School Score
1. Fargo Davies High School 34 F
2. North High School 33 F
3. Discovery Middle School 50 C-
4. South High School 31 F
5. Ben Franklin Middle School 41 D
6. Carl Ben Eielson Middle School 45 D
7. Centennial Elementary School 50 C-
8. Bennett Elementary School 44 D
9. Osgood Elem School 46 D
10. Independence Elementary School 47 D
11. Kennedy Elementary School 46 D
12. Willow Park Elementary School 46 D
13. Ed Clapp Elementary School 33 F
14. Lewis and Clark Elementary School 43 D
15. Longfellow Elementary School 52 C-
16. Deer Creek Elementary School 57 C
17. Horace Mann Roosevelt Elementary School 39 F
18. Lincoln Elementary School 42 D
19. Clara Barton Hawthorne Elementary School 48 D
20. Washington Elementary School 53 C-
21. Eagles Elementary School 48 D
22. Jefferson Elementary School 44 D
23. Mckinley Elementary School 60 C+
24. Early Childhood Special Education School 39 F
25. Madison Elementary School 62 C+
26. Dakota High School 44 D
27. Fargo 9-12 Virtual Academy 28 F
28. Explorer Academy 73 B
29. Fargo K-8 Virtual Academy 81 A-

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best schools in Fargo, ND?

The top-rated school in Fargo is Fargo Davies High School with a quality score of 34/100. There are 29 public schools in Fargo with 13,379 total students.

How many schools are in Fargo, ND?

Fargo has 29 public schools with a total enrollment of 13,379 students. Average student-teacher ratio: 11.7:1.

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Related Guides

Data from NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22. Quality scores based on student-teacher ratio, counselor access, gifted programs, and attendance. Schools must have 5+ in the city to be listed.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.