| Metric | Bismarck Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 13,976 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 29 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck Public Schools (this district) | 6/10 | 53rd | 13,976 |
| Grand Forks Public Schools | NR | — | 7,500 |
| Fargo Public Schools | 6/10 | 52nd | 11,431 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 144 rated districts in ND → 53rd percentile → 6/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
- LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 605 students
- VICTOR SOLHEIM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 588 students
- ELK RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 510 students
- ROBERT PLACE MILLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 485 students
- LIBERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 470 students
- SUNRISE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 445 students
- NORTHRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 410 students
- DOROTHY MOSES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 390 students
- CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 390 students
- SILVER RANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 386 students
- RITA MURPHY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 367 students
- BECEP CENTER — Grades PK–PK · 337 students
- JEANNETTE MYHRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 258 students
- WILL-MOORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 232 students
- PIONEER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 203 students
- GRIMSRUD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 180 students
- PRAIRIE ROSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 136 students
- ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 113 students
- HIGHLAND ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 103 students
- BISMARCK ELEMENTARY VIRTUAL ACADEMY — Grades K–5
- HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 1,124 students
- SIMLE MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 1,053 students
- WACHTER MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 1,012 students
- BISMARCK MIDDLE VIRTUAL ACADEMY — Grades 6–8
- LEGACY HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 1,419 students
- CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 1,406 students
- BISMARCK HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 1,367 students
- SOUTH CENTRAL ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 97 students
- BISMARCK HIGH VIRTUAL ACADEMY — Grades 9–12
About Bismarck Public Schools
Zip code 58501 in Bismarck, North Dakota is served by Bismarck Public Schools for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K – 12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Bismarck Public Schools’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Bismarck Public Schools 6 out of 10 — average among North Dakota public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because North Dakota is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Bismarck Public Schools falls near the middle of North Dakota on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 58501
Children in zip code 58501 are assigned to Bismarck Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 58501, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Bismarck Public Schools at (701)323-4000 or visit www.bismarckschools.org. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — North Dakota districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Bismarck
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Bismarck Public Schools serves zip code 58501, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 58501. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In North Dakota, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Bismarck Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 58501.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Bismarck Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 58501 data.