Total enrollment
3,091
+749 (+32%) vs SY 2020-21
McKenzie County
North Dakota · Public K-12
Across 13 public schools, McKenzie County, North Dakota serves roughly 3,091 K-12 students, roughly 1 in 5 residents. That works out to 6 elementary, 1 middle, and 5 high schools.
4-year change in McKenzie County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
13
+3 (+30%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How McKenzie County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In North Dakota | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,091 | #9 of 19 | #1,808 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 13 | #13 of 19 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.2:1 | #11 of 18 | #600 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 41.6% | #3 of 19 | #2,024 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 61.1% | #2 of 18 | #508 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
McKenzie County school rankings
Residents
14,321
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
13
5 districts
Enrollment
3,091
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$93,404
Above North Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
41.6%
Above North Dakota avg
Elementary
6
1,552 students
Middle
1
509 students
High
5
811 students
Combined / other
1
219 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
MCKENZIE CO 1
2,349 students · 5 districts in McKenzie County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of McKenzie 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
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
19.1%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.3%
civilian labor
Median age
32
31.1% under 18
Test scores in McKenzie County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 10 schools ranked. North Dakota state average: 38.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- EAST FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 55.0%
- YELLOWSTONE VIRTUAL ACADEMY· 55.0%
- BADLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 32.0%
- FOX HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 32.0%
- WATFORD CITY HIGH SCHOOL· 32.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- MANDAREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 15.0%
- MANDAREE HIGH SCHOOL· 15.0%
- ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 28.0%
- ALEXANDER HIGH SCHOOL· 28.0%
- BADLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 32.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOX HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Watford City | Elementary | KG-05 | 663 | · |
| WATFORD CITY HIGH SCHOOL | Watford City | High | 09-12 | 566 | · |
| BADLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Watford City | Elementary | KG-05 | 538 | · |
| WATFORD CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL | Watford City | Middle | 06-08 | 509 | · |
| Mandaree Day School | Mandaree | Combined | KG-12 | 219 | · |
| ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Alexander | Elementary | PK-06 | 195 | · |
| MANDAREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Mandaree | Elementary | KG-08 | 136 | · |
| ALEXANDER HIGH SCHOOL | Alexander | High | 07-12 | 114 | · |
| MANDAREE HIGH SCHOOL | Mandaree | High | 09-12 | 67 | · |
| WATFORD CITY VIRTUAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL | Watford City | High | 07-12 | 34 | · |
| WOLVES CENTER ACADEMY | Watford City | High | 09-12 | 30 | · |
| HORSE CREEK SCHOOL | Cartwright | Elementary | KG-08 | 11 | · |
| WATFORD CITY VIRTUAL ACADEMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Watford City | Elementary | KG-06 | 9 | · |
Cities in McKenzie County
About McKenzie County
McKenzie County is a low-population North Dakota county of about 14,321 residents, home to 13 public schools and roughly 3,091 students.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show the median household earns about $93,404 a year, 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 8% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 28% higher than the North Dakota median.
For a sense of the school types, McKenzie County is made up of 6 elementary schools (1,552 students), 1 middle school (509), 5 high schools (811), and 1 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in McKenzie County is MCKENZIE CO 1, which alone enrolls about 2,349 students.
Looking at the last 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 3,091 students, expanded 32% from the 2,342 reported in SY 2020-21. The school count climbed from 10 to 13 across the same 4-year window.
In the discussion threads here, the community for McKenzie County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data