Summary:
The four middle schools in the Minot 1 school district serve grades 6-8 and show a wide range of performance, from a top-tier school to one facing significant challenges. Memorial Middle School is the clear standout, ranking 3rd in the state with a 5-star rating and achieving 59% proficiency in Math, Reading, and Science—well above district averages. This success comes despite having the lowest per-student spending, but it benefits from the smallest student-teacher ratio (10.7) and is located on the Minot Air Force Base, suggesting a highly structured environment. In contrast, Central Middle School faces the most difficulties, with the lowest test scores (38% Math, 32% Reading, 34% Science), the highest chronic absenteeism rate (33%), and the highest percentage of students on free/reduced lunch (50.41%).
Two schools with very similar demographics show different results. Erik Ramstad Middle School and Jim Hill Middle School have nearly identical enrollment, student-teacher ratios (13.9), and free/reduced lunch rates (around 30%), yet Erik Ramstad outperforms Jim Hill in all subjects and ranks higher (16th vs. 26th in the state). This highlights how school-specific practices and leadership can make a tangible difference. Meanwhile, Memorial Middle School proves that high achievement is possible even with moderate funding, as its low student-teacher ratio and strong community support drive success.
A key district-wide concern is chronic absenteeism, which exceeds the state average of 20% at every school with available data, including Erik Ramstad (27%) and Jim Hill (24%). This issue likely impacts overall performance and is a critical area for improvement. Overall, the data shows that spending alone does not predict success—Memorial spends the least but achieves the most, while Central highlights the strong link between poverty, absenteeism, and lower test scores. Parents should consider these factors when evaluating schools in the area.
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