In 2010, North Dakota ranked fourth in crude oil production out of 31 oil-producing states and outpaced one of the two federal offshore areas. Oil is transforming almost every aspect of the traditionally peaceful life in the towns across the western side of the state. The ever increasing number of incoming oil field workers is creating shortages of hotel rooms and scarcity of housing units available. Businesses are facing labor insufficiency and apartment rents are skyrocketing. Amidst all of these impacts, one fragment of society remains relatively constant in this oil craze; public school enrollment.    

According to the North Dakota Educational Directory, K-12 enrollment for the past three years in Dickinson has increased consistently from a total of 2,467 during the 2008-09 school year to 2,597 in 2010-11. The schools have welcomed roughly 130 new K-12 students since 2008. The enrollment projections made by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction in 2006 were largely on target when compared to the actual data witnessed in recent years. The K-12 total enrollment projection for 2008-09 was 2,391 while the actual enrollment was 2,467. For 2010-11 the projection was 2,508 with total enrollment ending at 2,597.

As Dickinson and surrounding communities are inundated with oil field workers and new businesses, it is anticipated that local school enrollment will consistently increase as well.