Summary:
The Glen Ullin 48 district contains a single high school, Glen Ullin High School, a very small rural school serving grades 9 through 12 with just 44 students in Glen Ullin, North Dakota.
Glen Ullin High School is a standout for its extreme volatility in state ranking, swinging from 8th in the state (93rd percentile, 5-star rating) in 2023-2024 to 88th (27th percentile, 1-star) just two years prior, before settling at 50th (60th percentile, 3-star) in the most recent data. This dramatic fluctuation is almost certainly due to its tiny student body, where the performance of just a few students can drastically shift the school's standing. The school boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate, well above the state average of 84.2%, and an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.3:1, which allows for significant individualized attention. However, its current test scores are a uniform 34.5% proficient in math, reading, and science, which is below the state average in math and reading. This creates a paradox: the school spends a very high $23,366 per student and has excellent resources, yet its standardized test scores do not currently reflect that investment.
The most important takeaway for parents is the "cohort effect." With only 44 students, year-over-year comparisons are nearly meaningless. The difference between a top-10 and bottom-10 state ranking could hinge on the performance of just two or three students in a single grade. While the school is clearly effective at ensuring students graduate, the academic rigor as measured by state tests appears moderate. The identical 34.5% proficiency rate across all subjects and grades is a statistical artifact of the small sample size, likely reflecting the test results of a single 10th-grade class. This school offers a highly personalized environment with strong graduation outcomes, but its academic performance on standardized tests is inconsistent and heavily influenced by the abilities of a very small group of students each year.
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