- West Central Academy-S — Grades 4–12 · 34 students
- Moorhead ALC — Grades 5–12 · 138 students
- MOORHEAD HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 2122 students
- West Central Academy-N — Grades 3–12 · 16 students
- PROBSTFIELD CENTER FOR EDUCATION — Grades PK–PK · 253 students
- Robert Asp Elementary — Grades K–4 · 580 students
- ELLEN HOPKINS ELEMENTARY — Grades K–4 · 616 students
- S.G. Reinertsen Elementary — Grades K–4 · 719 students
- HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 5–8 · 2158 students
- Moorhead ALC - Barnesville — Grades 7–12 · 0 students
- Moorhead ALC: DGF Secondary — Grades 9–12 · 0 students
- Dorothy Dodds Elementary School — Grades K–4 · 625 students
- Moorhead Online Elementary Academy — Grades K–6 · 0 students
- Moorhead High School Career Academy — Grades 9–12 · 0 students
- Moorhead Online Secondary Academy — Grades 7–12 · 0 students
- Probstfield Elementary — Grades K–4 · 290 students
- Moorhead Voluntary PreKindergarten — Grades PK–PK · 20 students
| Metric | Moorhead Public School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 7,412 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 16 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $14,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 5/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moorhead Public School District (this district) | 5/10 | 48th | 7,412 |
| Fillmore Central | 7/10 | 67th | 589 |
| Plainview-Elgin-Millville | 8/10 | 79th | 1,502 |
| Pine Island Public School District | 9/10 | 81st | 1,541 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 489 rated districts in MN → 48th percentile → 5/10.
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Education MCA/MTAS, all grades Percent Proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Moorhead Public School District
Moorhead Public School District serves zip code 56563, covering Moorhead, Minnesota with grades K–12. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
Public school districts in Minnesota spend approximately $14,000 per student per year on average (state-level estimate; district-level figures vary), near the national average (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Near-average districts typically provide core academic programs with adequate staffing, though program breadth may be more limited than in higher-funded systems. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Moorhead Public School District is a large district with 16 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 7,412 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 5/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Moorhead Public School District 3 out of 10 — below average among Minnesota public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Minnesota’s MCA/MTAS assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Minnesota is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Moorhead Public School District carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Minnesota benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 56563
Children in zip code 56563 are assigned to Moorhead Public School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 56563, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Moorhead Public School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Minnesota districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Moorhead
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Moorhead Public School District serves zip code 56563, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 56563. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Minnesota, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Moorhead Public School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 56563.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Moorhead Public School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 56563 data.