- Enrollment
- 1,400
- Students per teacher
- 14.1:1
- Resource Index
- 30/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Fargo, ND
Independence Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Independence Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 46/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 381941000867
👥 S:T ratio 37
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 0
📋 Attendance 78
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Independence Elementary School earns 46/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 87% of North Dakota schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most North Dakota schools.
- #11 of 20
- elementary schools in Fargo · Resource Index
- 46
- Resource Index · Typical
- 15.8:1
- large classes for North Dakota
- 17.3%
- free-lunch eligible
Independence Elementary School has class sizes larger than 87% of North Dakota schools. Computed live against every North Dakota school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Independence Elementary School ranks #11 of 20 elementary schools in Fargo, ND.
School address
District: West Fargo 6 · North Dakota
NCES ID 381941000867 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+51 students YoY
Independence Elementary School grew from 537 students in 2022-23 to 588 in 2023-24 (+9.5%).
Teacher FTE added 35.5 → 40.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+51 students YoY 381941000867 · Fargo, ND Elementary · MID · TRAD
553 enr · 15.8:1 · 17.3% lunch · RII 46
Nearest enrollment peer: West Fargo Sheyenne High School (1,400 students)
Independence Elementary School grew from 537 students in 2022-23 to 588 in 2023-24 (+9.5%). Teacher FTE added 35.5 → 40.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · North Dakota schools → · Find another →
Independence Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- West Fargo She
West Fargo Sheyenne High School
1,400 students
- West Fargo Hig
West Fargo High School
1,380 students
- Liberty Middle
Liberty Middle School
1,103 students
- Cheney Middle
Cheney Middle School
1,006 students
- Heritage Middl
Heritage Middle School
799 students
- This school 553
Independence Elementary School
553 students
What this shows Independence Elementary School reports 553 students on the CCD universe file.
How Independence Elementary School compares
Independence Elementary School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs North Dakota and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs North Dakota | North Dakota avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.8:1 | ▲ 34% | 11.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 17.3% | ▼ 39% | 28.2% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 553 | top 8% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.8:1
Leaner classes than 40% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
553
Bigger than 68% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
17.3%
free-lunch eligible
- 39% below the North Dakota average of 28.2%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
15.8:1
students per teacher
- 34% above state mean
Top 87% in North Dakota - lower ratio than 13% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
9.0%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 5-10% range, close to the pre-pandemic national baseline.
Funding equity
$13,666
per pupil, district-wide
- below North Dakota avg of $19,475
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 553 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
6
in-school suspensions + 11 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 1.1 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 3.1 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 53.0%
African American 22.2%
Asian 9.9%
Hispanic or Latino 7.4%
Two or More 6.0%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.4%
Largest group: White at 53.0% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 65.1/100
Simpson diversity index - at 65.1, Independence Elementary School is more mixed than the North Dakota school average of 29.7.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for West Fargo 6 reports $13,666 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Independence Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Fargo Sheyenne High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| West Fargo High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Liberty Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Cheney Middle School | Larger | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Heritage Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Independence Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,380
- Students per teacher
- 13.1:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
- Enrollment
- 1,103
- Students per teacher
- 12:1
- Resource Index
- 47/100
- Enrollment
- 1,006
- Students per teacher
- 11.6:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
- Enrollment
- 799
- Students per teacher
- 15.4:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
Similar elementary schools in Fargo
6 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Centennial Elementary School
Standard public school
639 students 16.4:1 students per teacher
Bennett Elementary School
Standard public school
622 students 15.9:1 students per teacher
Osgood Elem School
Standard public school
554 students 12.9:1 students per teacher
Kennedy Elementary School
Standard public school
469 students 11.2:1 students per teacher
Willow Park Elementary School
Standard public school
461 students 11.2:1 students per teacher
Ed Clapp Elementary School
Standard public school
444 students 9.9:1 students per teacher
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~553 students)
Frequently asked questions about Independence Elementary School
How many students attend Independence Elementary School?
Independence Elementary School has 553 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Fargo, ND. CCD year-over-year: 537 (2022-23) → 588 (2023-24), up 51.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Independence Elementary School is 15.8:1, which is 34% higher than the North Dakota average of 11.8:1 and 1% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Independence Elementary School?
17.3% of students at Independence Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the North Dakota average of 28.2%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Independence Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Independence Elementary School is White at 53.0% of enrollment, in Fargo, ND. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 65.1/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Independence Elementary School?
Independence Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 46/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Independence Elementary School rank among elementary schools in Fargo?
By Resource Investment Index, Independence Elementary School ranks #11 of 20 elementary schools in Fargo, ND. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Fargo on the city page.
What other schools are in West Fargo 6?
Besides Independence Elementary School, West Fargo 6 also operates West Fargo Sheyenne High School (1,400 students), West Fargo High School (1,380 students), and Liberty Middle School (1,103 students). See the West Fargo 6 district page for the complete list.