- Enrollment
- 1,400
- Students per teacher
- 14.1:1
- Resource Index
- 30/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · West Fargo, ND
South Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for South Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 56/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 381941000682
👥 S:T ratio 53
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 27
📋 Attendance 73
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Elementary School earns 56/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the North Dakota median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most North Dakota schools.
- #3 of 9
- elementary schools in West Fargo · Resource Index
- 56
- Resource Index · Higher
- 11.8:1
- students per teacher
- 25.7%
- free-lunch eligible
South Elementary School has class sizes near the North Dakota median. Computed live against every North Dakota school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Elementary School ranks #3 of 9 elementary schools in West Fargo, ND.
School address
District: West Fargo 6 · North Dakota
NCES ID 381941000682 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-1 students YoY
South Elementary School held near 380 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-1 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 31.5 → 33.3 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-1 students YoY 381941000682 · West Fargo, ND Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
367 enr · 11.8:1 · 25.7% lunch · RII 56
Nearest enrollment peer: West Fargo Sheyenne High School (1,400 students)
South Elementary School held near 380 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-1 headcount). Teacher FTE added 31.5 → 33.3 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · North Dakota schools → · Find another →
South 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 367
South Elementary School
367 students
What this shows South Elementary School reports 367 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Elementary School compares
South Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: 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 | 11.8:1 | ▼ 0% | 11.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 25.7% | ▼ 9% | 28.2% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 367 | top 19% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
11.8:1
Leaner classes than 77% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
367
Bigger than 42% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
25.7%
free-lunch eligible
- 9% 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
11.8:1
students per teacher
- 0% above state mean
Top 54% in North Dakota - lower ratio than 46% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
10.9%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 10-15% range, above the pre-pandemic national baseline but within the broader post-pandemic picture.
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 367 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
1
in-school suspensions + 5 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.3 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 1.6 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 61.9%
African American 18.8%
Two or More 7.4%
Hispanic or Latino 6.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native 4.1%
Asian 1.6%
Largest group: White at 61.9% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 57.0/100
Simpson diversity index - at 57.0, South 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 South Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Fargo Sheyenne High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| West Fargo High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Liberty Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Cheney Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Heritage Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South 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 West Fargo
6 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Brooks Harbor Elementary School
Standard public school
537 students 14.1:1 students per teacher
Freedom Elementary School
Standard public school
473 students 11:1 students per teacher
Legacy Elementary School
Standard public school
456 students 14.3:1 students per teacher
Westside Elementary School
Standard public school
397 students 11.3:1 students per teacher
Eastwood Elementary School
Standard public school
387 students 10.5:1 students per teacher
Aurora Elementary School
Standard public school
377 students 10.8:1 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 (~367 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Elementary School
How many students attend South Elementary School?
South Elementary School has 367 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in West Fargo, ND. CCD year-over-year: 381 (2022-23) → 380 (2023-24), nearly flat (-1).
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Elementary School is 11.8:1, which is 0% higher than the North Dakota average of 11.8:1 and 25% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Elementary School?
25.7% of students at South Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the North Dakota average of 28.2%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at South Elementary School is White at 61.9% of enrollment, in West Fargo, ND. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 57.0/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Elementary School?
South Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 56/100 (higher 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 South Elementary School rank among elementary schools in West Fargo?
By Resource Investment Index, South Elementary School ranks #3 of 9 elementary schools in West 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 West Fargo on the city page.
What other schools are in West Fargo 6?
Besides South 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.