Summary:
Williston Basin 7 has one middle school, Williston Middle School Central Campus, serving grades 5 through 8 with 1,536 students in Williston, North Dakota.
This school faces significant challenges, particularly with chronic absenteeism at 39%, nearly double the state average of 20%. Academic performance is below state averages across all subjects, with math proficiency at 31% (state 41%), reading at 32% (state 40%), and science at 35% (state 38%). However, science stands out as a relative strength, coming within 3 points of the state average. The school also shows a concerning "6th grade slump," where math proficiency drops sharply from 36% in 5th grade to 25% in 6th grade. Despite spending $13,040 per student—a significant amount—these resources are not translating into high test scores, suggesting the funds may be directed toward addressing other issues like absenteeism or supporting a large student population.
On a positive note, the school's state ranking improved from the 5th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 17th percentile in 2024-2025, though it remains in the bottom 20% of North Dakota middle schools. The dropout rate of 3% is slightly better than the state average of 4%. For parents, the most critical takeaway is that chronic absenteeism is likely the primary driver of low academic performance, and addressing this should be the top priority. The school's relative success in science offers a potential model for improvement in other subjects, while the 6th grade slump highlights a need for targeted support during the transition to middle school.
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