Summary:
The Finley-Sharon 19 district is home to a single high school, Finley-Sharon High School, a very small rural school in Finley, ND, serving grades 7 through 12 with just 35 students. This tiny enrollment creates a uniquely personalized learning environment, reflected in an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 3.8:1 and a high per-student spending of $26,911, which is well above national averages.
Academically, the school presents a mixed picture. Reading is a clear strength, with 54.5% of students proficient, outperforming both the district (49%) and state (40%) averages. However, math and science proficiency rates are a significant concern, with only 20% of students proficient in each subject—well below the state averages of 41% in math and 38% in science. This stark 34.5 percentage point gap between reading and math/science scores is unusual and suggests a need for targeted intervention in STEM subjects. The school currently holds a 2-star rating and ranks 73rd out of 125 high schools in North Dakota, a decline from its 3-star ranking in 2015-2016.
For parents, the key takeaway is that Finley-Sharon High School offers an intimate, high-investment setting where students receive substantial individual attention. While reading instruction appears effective, the school struggles to translate its resources into strong math and science outcomes. The small size also means that the performance of just a few students can dramatically swing overall scores from year to year. Nearly half of the students (48.57%) qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating moderate economic challenges in the community.
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