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Wells County

North Dakota · Public K-12

4 public K-12 schools operate inside Wells County, with roughly 577 students enrolled, an average of 144 per campus. That works out to 2 elementary and 2 high schools.

7-year change in Wells County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
577
-11 (-2%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
4
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
93%
was 94%
% Hispanic
3%
was 1%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
4
2 districts
Enrollment
577
NCES CCD
Median income
$66,114
Below North Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
26.9%
Below North Dakota avg
Elementary
2
338 students
Middle
0
schools
High
2
239 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
HARVEY 38
381 students · 2 districts in Wells County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Wells 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
95%
Hispanic
1%
Black
0%
Asian
0%
Two or more
4%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
93%
Hispanic
3%
Black
1%
Asian
1%
Two or more
2%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
21.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.0%
civilian labor
Median age
46
23.4% under 18

Test scores in Wells County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 3 schools ranked. North Dakota state average: 38.7%.

See all 3 schools in Wells County ranked by score →

All schools (4)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
BM HANSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLHarveyElementaryPK-06198·
HARVEY HIGH SCHOOLHarveyHigh07-12183·
FESSENDEN-BOWDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLFessendenElementaryPK-08140·
FESSENDEN-BOWDON HIGH SCHOOLFessendenHigh09-1256·

Cities in Wells County

Fessenden2 schoolsHarvey2 schools

About Wells County

In North Dakota, Wells County is a compact county of about 3,890 residents. 4 public schools across the county instructs about 577 students between them.

Looking at the wider area, census numbers show median household income runs near $66,114, 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 5%. That income level is 10% below the North Dakota median.

On the level-by-level breakdown, Wells County is made up of 2 elementary schools (338 students), and 2 high schools (239).

HARVEY 38 is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 381 students across Wells County.

Over the past 7-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 577 students, held roughly steady from the 588 reported in SY 2017-18.

On allk12, the community for Wells County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Wells County?
There are 4 public K-12 schools in Wells County, North Dakota, with a combined enrollment of about 577.
How many high schools are in Wells County?
Wells County, North Dakota has 2 public high schools, serving approximately 239 students.
How many elementary schools are in Wells County?
Wells County, North Dakota has 2 public elementary schools, serving approximately 338 students.
What is the largest school district in Wells County?
HARVEY 38 is the largest school district in Wells County, serving approximately 381 students. The county contains 2 school districts overall.
How many people live in Wells County?
Wells County has roughly 3,890 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in Wells County?
Median household income in Wells County is $66,114, below the North Dakota average of $73,179. About 5.1% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Wells County?
Approximately 21.7% of adults 25 and older in Wells County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Wells County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 26.9% of students in Wells 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 Wells County schools?
Across Wells County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 11.5 to 1.
What is the racial makeup of Wells County?
Wells County residents are approximately 95% White, 1% Hispanic, 0% Asian, 4% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data