For the 2026 school year, there are 13 blue ribbon public preschools serving 3,204 students in North Dakota.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in North Dakota are William S Gussner Elementary School, Central Valley Elementary School and Kindred Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
North Dakota blue ribbon public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the North Dakota public pre school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the North Dakota public preschool average of 25% (majority American Indian).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Preschools in North Dakota (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
William S Gussner Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1509 4th St Ne
Jamestown, ND 58402
(701) 252-3846
Jamestown, ND 58402
(701) 252-3846
Gr: PK-5 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Central Valley Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1556 Highway 81 Ne
Buxton, ND 58218
(701) 847-2220
Buxton, ND 58218
(701) 847-2220
Gr: PK-6 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #33.
Kindred Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
55 1st Ave S
Kindred, ND 58051
(701) 428-3177
Kindred, ND 58051
(701) 428-3177
Gr: PK-6 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #44.
Carrington Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
100 3rd Ave S
Carrington, ND 58421
(701) 652-2739
Carrington, ND 58421
(701) 652-2739
Gr: PK-6 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Thompson Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
424 3rd St
Thompson, ND 58278
(701) 599-2765
Thompson, ND 58278
(701) 599-2765
Gr: PK-6 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #66.
Richland Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
106 Broadway
Abercrombie, ND 58001
(701) 553-8321
Abercrombie, ND 58001
(701) 553-8321
Gr: PK-6 | 179 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
Bob Callies Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
205 2nd Ave Ne
Garrison, ND 58540
(701) 463-2213
Garrison, ND 58540
(701) 463-2213
Gr: PK-6 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Taylor-richardton Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
306 Ertel Ave
Taylor, ND 58656
(701) 974-3585
Taylor, ND 58656
(701) 974-3585
Gr: PK-4 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
New Rockford-sheyenne Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
437 1st Ave N
New Rockford, ND 58356
(701) 947-5036
New Rockford, ND 58356
(701) 947-5036
Gr: PK-6 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Wyndmere Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
101 Date Ave
Wyndmere, ND 58081
(701) 439-2287
Wyndmere, ND 58081
(701) 439-2287
Gr: PK-6 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1111.
Manvel Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
801 Oldham Ave
Manvel, ND 58256
(701) 696-2212
Manvel, ND 58256
(701) 696-2212
Gr: PK-8 | 181 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1212.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
305 10th Ave Nw
Mandan, ND 58554
(701) 751-6507
Mandan, ND 58554
(701) 751-6507
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1313.
Phoenix Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
351 4th Ave S
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 746-2240
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 746-2240
Gr: PK-5 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in North Dakota?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in North Dakota include William S Gussner Elementary School, Central Valley Elementary School and Kindred Elementary School.
How many blue ribbon public preschools are located in North Dakota?
13 blue ribbon public preschools are located in North Dakota.
What is the racial composition of students in North Dakota?
North Dakota blue ribbon public preschools minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the North Dakota public preschools average of 25% (majority American Indian).
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