| Metric | Sawyer Public School District 16 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 74 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $30,329/yr | $17,619/yr | Small district — per-pupil varies |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 1/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawyer Public School District 16 (this district) | 1/10 | 8th | 74 |
| Velva Public School District 1 | 8/10 | 75th | 441 |
| Minot Public School District 1 | 5/10 | 43rd | 7,715 |
| Max Public School District 50 | 3/10 | 24th | 155 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 145 rated districts in ND → 8th percentile → 1/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
- SAWYER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 5.4 mi · Grades PK–8 · 74 students
- SAWYER HIGH SCHOOL — 5.4 mi · Grades 9–12 · 20 students
About Sawyer Public School District 16
Zip code 58781 in Sawyer, North Dakota is served by Sawyer Public School District 16 for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K–12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Sawyer Public School District 16’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 1/10 Rating
With a rating of 1/10 (low-rated), Sawyer Public School District 16 ranks among North Dakota’s low-rated-rated school systems. 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.
⚠️ Small-district caveat. Sawyer Public School District 16 enrolls 74 students. A percentile rank drawn from so few test-takers is statistically unstable — it can move several points from one year to the next on normal variation alone, and a single class of students can swing it. Treat this rating as a rough signal rather than a precise ranking, and look at the school-level detail below before drawing conclusions.
Sawyer Public School District 16 holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in North Dakota on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 58781
Children in zip code 58781 are assigned to Sawyer Public School District 16 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 58781, 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 Sawyer Public School District 16 at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. 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 Sawyer
For families considering a purchase in the Sawyer area, district assignment matters financially. Because Sawyer Public School District 16 serves zip code 58781, homes in and around zip code 58781 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. 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 Sawyer Public School District 16 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 58781.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Sawyer Public School District 16 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 58781 data.