Public schools in Watford City, ND
7 open public schools with an address in Watford City, operated by 1 education agency. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
7
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
2,349
7 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
15.8:1
North Dakota median 10.6:1
Charter schools
0
2 virtual
An overview of Watford City public schools
The federal directory lists 7 public schools in Watford City, ND: 3 elementary, 1 middle, 3 high. The 7 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 2,349 students, an average of 336 per school. The largest campus is Fox Hills Elementary School (663 students).
Every listed school belongs to McKenzie Co 1. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 15.8:1, higher than the statewide school median of 10.6:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 2 virtual schools. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 2 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 1 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 1 of 2 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 35% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Watford City
Elementary schools in Watford City
3| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badlands Elementary School McKenzie Co 1 | PK–05 | 538 | 12:1 | |
| Fox Hills Elementary School McKenzie Co 1 | PK–05 | 663 | 15.8:1 | |
| Watford City Virtual Academy Elementary School McKenzie Co 1 · Virtual | KG–06 | 9 | 180:1 |
Middle schools in Watford City
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watford City Middle School McKenzie Co 1 | 06–08 | 509 | 14.1:1 |
High schools in Watford City
3| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watford City High School McKenzie Co 1 | 09–12 | 566 | 12.9:1 | |
| Watford City Virtual Academy High School McKenzie Co 1 · Virtual | 07–12 | 34 | 35.8:1 | |
| Wolves Center Academy McKenzie Co 1 | 09–12 | 30 | 30:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White61.8%
- Hispanic27.2%
- Black2.6%
- Asian1.1%
- American Indian / Alaska Native4.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.9%
- Multiracial2.1%
Enrollment-weighted across 7 Watford City schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (2,349 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Watford City
How many public schools are in Watford City, ND?
The current NCES directory lists 7 open public schools with a location address in Watford City: 3 elementary, 1 middle, 3 high. Together they reported 2,349 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Watford City?
All listed public schools with an address in Watford City belong to McKenzie Co 1. Mailing cities do not always match district boundaries, so confirm the district for a specific home address.
What is the largest public high school in Watford City?
Watford City High School reported the largest high-school enrollment in Watford City, with 566 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Watford City?
No school with an address in Watford City is identified as a charter school in the current NCES directory. Families may still have charter or virtual options elsewhere in North Dakota.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Watford City schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Watford City public schools is 15.8:1, higher than the North Dakota school median of 10.6:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Watford City guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby North Dakota cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All North Dakota cities