A−

Northern Cass Public School District 97

Public school districtGrades PK–12Regional · 21 towns

Serves Argusville, Arthur, Hunter, Harwood Township, Gunkel Township, Kelso Township, Berlin Township, Gardner, Kinyon Township, Gardner Township, Grandin, Greenfield Township, Erie Township, Hunter Township, Rush River Township, Noble Township, Arthur Township, Wiser Township, Bell Township, Bohnsack Township and Dows Township, and parts of Amenia Township, Empire Township and Elm River Township.

Students

724

Schools

Spent per student

$13,838

ND $16,642

Students per teacher

14:1

Free or reduced lunch

Debt

$0.4M

fiscal 2024

The gist

What stands out about Northern Cass Public School District 97

School Grade A−: better than 82% of Illinois districts
Math proficiency 10 pts above the state
Reading / language arts 11 pts above the state
Graduation rate (4-year) 8 pts above the state
Spends 17% less per student than the ND average
14 students per teacher
Enrollment up 10% since 2020
Debt of $0.4M, about $539 per student

Where would my kid go?

The school path for Eppards Point Township.

PK–13 elementary schoolsPontiac Community Consolidated School District 429

2–42 elementary schoolsPrairie Central Community Unit School District 8

6–82 middle schoolsPontiac Community Consolidated School District 429

9–122 high schoolsPontiac Township High School District 90

Test scores vs. ND

2020–21

Math proficiency48%

State average 38.2%

Reading / language arts53%

State average 42.3%

Graduation rate (4-year)95%

State average 86.6% · small group: the state reports 90–100%

Where the money goes

fiscal 2024

$13,838 per student · 17% below ND

Spending

Classroom instruction 54%Support & administration 30%Other 16%

Paid for by

Local (mostly property tax) 36%State 61%Federal 3%

U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances.

Enrollment over time

658’20

687’21

689’22

717’23

724’24

Up 10% since 2020.

Students

White 98%Hispanic <1%Black <1%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%Two or more races <1%

Schools in the district

3 public schools.

Northern Cass Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Hunter

B+

350 students14:1

Northern Cass Middle School

Middle · Grades 6–8 · Hunter

A−

169 students13:1

Northern Cass High School

High · Grades 9–12 · Hunter

B+

205 students15:1

Nearby districts

Compare spending and schools next door.

West Fargo Public School District 6Fargo, Harwood, Raymond Township

$14,624per student

Ada-Borup-West Public SchoolsGeorgetown Township, Hendrum Township, Lee Township

$15,107per student

Central Cass Public School District 17Casselton Township, Harmony Township

$12,630per student

Hope-Page Public School District 85Ayr Township, Page Township, Rich Township

$23,228per student

District facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES directory and district boundaries) and the U.S. Census Bureau school finance survey. Test scores and graduation: EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Neighbor ratings are opinions.