Best private high schools in North Dakota

As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.

It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.

For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.

Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in North Dakota using 2027 rankings from Niche. Online schools were not included. Niche uses 10 weighted factors for its rankings, including: college enrollment, culture and diversity, parent/student surveys, top enrolled colleges, and student-teacher ratio. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.

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#15. New Testament Baptist Christian School

- Location: Larimore, ND
- Grades: 2-11
- Enrollment: 16 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: unavailable

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#14. Dakota Memorial School

- Location: Bismarck, ND
- Grades: 8-12
- Enrollment: 17 (— student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: unavailable

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#13. Forest River School

- Location: Fordville, ND
- Grades: K-12
- Enrollment: 45 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: unavailable

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#12. Anne Carlsen Center

- Location: Jamestown, ND
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 59 (3:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: unavailable

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#11. Dakota Memorial High School

- Location: Minot, ND
- Grades: 4-12
- Enrollment: 95 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: unavailable

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#10. Johnson Corners Christian Academy

- Location: Watford City, ND
- Grades: K-12
- Enrollment: 64 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

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#9. Our Redeemer's Christian School

- Location: Minot, ND
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 333 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: C

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#8. Williston Trinity Christian School

- Location: Williston, ND
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 326 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: C

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#7. Shiloh Christian School

- Location: Bismarck, ND
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 698 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B-

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#6. St. Mary's Central High School

- Location: Bismarck, ND
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 378 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#5. Trinity Catholic Schools

- Location: Dickinson, ND
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 833 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#4. Hope Christian Academy

- Location: Dickinson, ND
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 146 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#3. Bishop Ryan Catholic School

- Location: Minot, ND
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 392 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#2. Shanley High School & Sacred Heart Middle School

- Location: Fargo, ND
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 575 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A-

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#1. Oak Grove Lutheran School

- Location: Fargo, ND
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 746 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A