Watford City Schools Adapt to Growing Numbers

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The resident influx in Watford City for Bakken oil jobs is not made up of oil workers alone - it consists of oil workers' wives and children, as well. Although school is currently out for the summer, at the schools themselves, there is quite a lot of work happening behind the scenes in preparation for the 2015-2016 school year and beyond.

The McKenzie County Public School district in Watford City is comprised of Watford City Elementary School, which holds grades K-6, and Watford City High School. The 2015-2016 school year begins on Thursday, August 20 and the schools are preparing for record enrollment numbers this year. The elementary school has already procured two new modular buildings, which will provide four additional classrooms for students. This addition brings the total number of modular classrooms in the school to 10. Once the new Watford City High School is completed, the fourth and fifth graders will move into the former high school space. Until then, those two grades will use the modular spaces. Pre-registration days for the elementary school are currently taking place and regular enrollment ends August 5.

As is mentioned above, once the new high school is completed and students move into the new building, the elementary and junior high students will have more space. Construction on the new high school is moving along according to schedule, and should be finished by January 2016. School officials are hoping that the transition can occur in between fall and spring semesters in January. The new $50 million school will have upgrades including an auditorium for theater and fine arts programs, football fields and a track field. To view pictures on how the high school construction is progressing, as of July 18, click here.

Although the population increase in the Watford City and McKenzie County areas, these changes will also bring new opportunities and additional programs and facilities to Watford City youth. Until August 20 though, the kids can enjoy the parks, sleeping in, and everything else that summer in Watford City has to offer!

The Glen at Hunter's Run apartment homes are located less than a 10-minute drive away from Watford City schools.