Bismarck Public School District 1 operates 27 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Bismarck Public School District 1 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 13,000 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 29 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $13,261/yr | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck Public School District 1 (this district) | 6/10 | 53rd | 13,976 |
| Grand Forks Public Schools | NR | — | 7,500 |
| Fargo Public Schools | 6/10 | 52nd | 11,500 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 144 rated districts in ND → 53rd percentile → 6/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Bismarck Public School District 1
Bismarck Public School District 1 is the public school district assigned to zip code 58504 in Bismarck, North Dakota. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 58504. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Bismarck Public School District 1 spent $13,261 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), roughly in line with North Dakota’s statewide $13,500 estimate. Of the district’s 2019 graduating cohort of 937 students, an estimated 90% earned a diploma within four years (EDFacts adjusted cohort graduation rate).
District Scale and Program Breadth
Bismarck Public School District 1 is a large district with 29 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 13,976 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 6/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Bismarck Public School District 1 5 out of 10 — average among North Dakota 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 the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 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 North Dakota is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Bismarck Public School District 1 falls near the middle of North Dakota on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 58504
Children in zip code 58504 are assigned to Bismarck Public School District 1 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 58504, 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 Bismarck Public School District 1 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 — North Dakota 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 Bismarck
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Bismarck Public School District 1 serves zip code 58504, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 58504. 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 North Dakota, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Bismarck Public School District 1 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 58504.
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 Bismarck Public School District 1 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 58504 data.