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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Richland County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 2,411 students in Richland County, ND (there are 1 private school, serving 140 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Richland County, ND are educated in public schools (compared to the ND state average of 92%). Richland County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in North Dakota.
The top-ranked public schools in Richland County, ND are Wahpeton Middle School, Hankinson Elementary School and Richland Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Richland County, ND public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the North Dakota public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 44% statewide average). Schools in Richland County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the North Dakota public school average of 30% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Richland County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Wahpeton Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1265 12th St N
Wahpeton, ND 58074
(701) 642-6687
Gr: 6-8 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #22.
Hankinson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
415 1st Ave Se
Hankinson, ND 58041
(701) 242-7516
Gr: PK-6 | 136 students Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Richland Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
106 Broadway
Abercrombie, ND 58001
(701) 553-8321
Gr: PK-6 | 184 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Hankinson High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
415 1st Ave Se
Hankinson, ND 58041
(701) 242-7516
Gr: 7-12 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Richland Junior-senior High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
101 Main Ave
Colfax, ND 58018
(701) 372-3713
Gr: 7-12 | 126 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Wyndmere High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
101 Date Ave
Wyndmere, ND 58081
(701) 439-2287
Gr: 7-12 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #77.
Wyndmere Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
101 Date Ave
Wyndmere, ND 58081
(701) 439-2287
Gr: K-6 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #88.
Fairmount Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
400 E Main Ave
Fairmount, ND 58030
(701) 474-5469
Gr: PK-6 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #99.
Lidgerwood High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
28 3rd Ave Se
Lidgerwood, ND 58053
(701) 538-7341
Gr: 7-12 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1010.
Wahpeton Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1235 12th St N
Wahpeton, ND 58074
(701) 642-8328
Gr: 1-5 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1111.
Lidgerwood Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
28 3rd Ave Se
Lidgerwood, ND 58053
(701) 538-7341
Gr: PK-6 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1212.
Fairmount High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
400 E Main Ave
Fairmount, ND 58030
(701) 474-5469
Gr: 7-12 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1313.
Wahpeton High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1021 11th St N
Wahpeton, ND 58074
(701) 642-2604
Gr: 9-12 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: n/an/a
Circle Of Nations
832 8th Street North
Wahpeton, ND 58075
(701) 642-3796
Gr: 4-8 | 121 students
Rank: n/an/a
Zimmerman Elementary School
508 9 St N
Wahpeton, ND 58074
(701) 642-3050
Gr: PK-K | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Richland County, ND?
The top-ranked public schools in Richland County, ND include Wahpeton Middle School, Hankinson Elementary School and Richland Elementary School. Richland County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in North Dakota.
How many public schools are located in Richland County?
15 public schools are located in Richland County.
What percentage of students in Richland County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Richland County are educated in public schools (compared to the ND state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Richland County?
Richland County public schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the North Dakota public schools average of 30% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).

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