The bulletin board for America's public schools. Parents, teachers, students, and staff. One community per school.

Burke County

North Dakota · Public K-12

6 public K-12 schools operate inside Burke County, with roughly 408 students enrolled, an average of 68 per campus. The level mix is 3 elementary and 3 high schools.

7-year change in Burke County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
408
+48 (+13%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
90%
was 91%
% Hispanic
4%
was 6%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
3 districts
Enrollment
408
NCES CCD
Median income
$91,591
Above North Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
18.6%
Below North Dakota avg
Elementary
3
254 students
Middle
0
schools
High
3
154 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
POWERS LAKE 27
221 students · 3 districts in Burke County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Burke County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
87%
Hispanic
3%
Black
2%
Asian
2%
Two or more
6%
Native American
2%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
90%
Hispanic
4%
Black
0%
Asian
0%
Two or more
2%
Native American
3%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
22.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
1.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.7%
civilian labor
Median age
40
27.0% under 18

Test scores in Burke County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. North Dakota state average: 38.7%.

See all 4 schools in Burke County ranked by score →

All schools (6)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
POWERS LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLPowers LakeElementaryPK-08152·
POWERS LAKE HIGH SCHOOLPowers LakeHigh09-1269·
BURKE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLLigniteElementaryKG-0652·
BOWBELLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLBowbellsElementaryPK-0650·
BURKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOLLigniteHigh07-1243·
BOWBELLS HIGH SCHOOLBowbellsHigh07-1242·

Cities in Burke County

Bowbells2 schoolsLignite2 schoolsPowers Lake2 schools

About Burke County

Across the thinly populated North Dakota county of Burke County of about 2,156 residents, the public-school footprint covers 6 schools and about 408 students.

Stepping back, census numbers show the median household earns about $91,591 a year, roughly 23% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 1%. That income level is 25% meaningfully above the North Dakota median.

Looking at the level breakdown, Burke County is built around 3 elementary schools (254 students), and 3 high schools (154).

POWERS LAKE 27 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 221 students on its own.

Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Burke County has expanded 13% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 360 students to 408.

On allk12, the community for Burke County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Burke County?
There are 6 public K-12 schools in Burke County, North Dakota, with a combined enrollment of about 408.
How many high schools are in Burke County?
Burke County, North Dakota has 3 public high schools, serving approximately 154 students.
How many elementary schools are in Burke County?
Burke County, North Dakota has 3 public elementary schools, serving approximately 254 students.
What is the largest school district in Burke County?
POWERS LAKE 27 is the largest school district in Burke County, serving approximately 221 students. The county contains 3 school districts overall.
How many people live in Burke County?
Burke County has roughly 2,156 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in Burke County?
Median household income in Burke County is $91,591, above the North Dakota average of $73,179. About 1.2% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Burke County?
Approximately 22.8% of adults 25 and older in Burke County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Burke County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 18.6% of students in Burke County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the North Dakota county average of 33.7%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Burke County schools?
Across Burke County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 9.1 to 1.
What is the racial makeup of Burke County?
Burke County residents are approximately 87% White, 3% Hispanic, 2% Black, 2% Asian, 6% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data