Summary:
The Hazen 3 school district in North Dakota is home to one middle school, Hazen Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8 with a total enrollment of 143 students.
Hazen Middle School has demonstrated a remarkable academic resurgence, recovering from a 2-star rating in 2022-2023 to achieve a strong 4-star rating (78th percentile) in 2024-2025. The school significantly outperforms state averages in all core subjects, with overall proficiency rates of 59% in Math (vs. 41% state), 50.5% in Reading (vs. 40% state), and 54% in Science (vs. 38% state). A standout finding is the "7th Grade Effect," where 7th graders achieve 69% proficiency in Math and 59% in Reading, dramatically outperforming 6th graders by 25 and 15 percentage points respectively. This suggests either an exceptionally strong cohort or highly effective teaching at that grade level. Conversely, 6th-grade math proficiency (44%) falls below the state average (48%), indicating a potential transition challenge for incoming students. The school also excels in science, with 8th-grade proficiency at 54%, well above the state average of 38%.
Despite its high performance, Hazen Middle School operates with relatively modest per-student spending of $9,438 and a low economic disadvantage rate of 18.88% eligible for free or reduced lunch. This combination of strong academic outcomes and efficient resource use suggests effective resource allocation and strong community support. While the school excels in STEM subjects, reading proficiency remains a relative weakness, particularly for 6th and 8th graders who score only marginally above state averages. The school's recovery story—from a 44th percentile ranking to a 78th percentile ranking in just two years—points to successful interventions that have had a lasting positive impact on student achievement.
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