Chester Area School District 39-1
School District · Chester, South Dakota
Avg Rating
6.0
out of 10
Schools
7
3 elem, 1 mid, 3 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,311
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Avg Rating
6.0
out of 10
Schools
7
3 elem, 1 mid, 3 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,311
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Evaluating Chester Area School District 39-1?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Chester Area School District 39-1 as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Chester High School - 01
Chester · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Chester Middle School - 03
Chester · Middle. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Chester Elementary -02
Chester · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
South Dakota rank
#95 of 142
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-0.2
below South Dakota avg
Per-pupil spending
$10,311
$2,359 vs South Dakota median
District size
542 students
Larger than South Dakota median
The short answer
Chester Area School District 39-1 ranks #95 of 142 South Dakota districts by overall school rating. Chester Area School District 39-1's schools with real test data average 6.0/10 across 6 schools. Its top-rated schools are Chester High School - 01 (8.7/10), Chester Middle School - 03 (7.0/10), and Chester Elementary -02 (6.1/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Chester Area School District 39-1
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (6 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chester High School - 01 | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Chester Middle School - 03 | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Chester Elementary -02 | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 | 5.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Chester Area Cyber School - 92 | 4.3 / 10 |
| 6 | High Plains - 06 | 4.1 / 10 |
See all 7 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Chester Area School District 39-1
Chester Area School District 39-1 is a Chester, South Dakota school district serving 7 schools. The district educates 542 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1. The district invests $10,311 per student annually.
With an average rating of 6.0/10, Chester Area School District 39-1 demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Chester High School - 01, which has a composite score of 8.7/10.
In standardized testing, Chester Area School District 39-1 students show an average math proficiency of 51.2% and ELA proficiency of 60.4%.
The district includes 3 elementary schools , 1 middle school , and 3 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Chester Area School District 39-1, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Chester Area School District 39-1 with test data.
Schools in Chester Area School District 39-1
7 schools Elementary Schools 3
Middle Schools 1
District Details
- State
- South Dakota
- City
- Chester
- Total Enrollment
- 542
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.1%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Chester Area School District 39-1?
Chester Area School District 39-1 has 7 schools in total — 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Chester Area School District 39-1?
The average composite rating for Chester Area School District 39-1 is 6.0/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Chester Area School District 39-1?
Chester Area School District 39-1 spends $10,311 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chester Area School District 39-1?
The average student-teacher ratio in Chester Area School District 39-1 is 14.6:1.
What is the top-rated school in Chester Area School District 39-1?
Chester High School - 01 is the highest-rated school in Chester Area School District 39-1 with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What are the test scores in Chester Area School District 39-1?
Across schools in Chester Area School District 39-1 with test data, the average math proficiency is 51.2% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 60.4%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Chester Area School District 39-1 compare to other districts in South Dakota?
Chester Area School District 39-1 has an average school rating of 6.0/10 across 7 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in South Dakota by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 6.0/10
- Math Proficiency
- 51.2%
- ELA Proficiency
- 60.4%
Resources
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateOther School Districts in SD
Compare Chester Area School District 39-1 with neighboring districts in the state.
- Sioux Falls School District 49-5 (44)
- Rapid City Area School District 51-4 (26)
- Todd County School District 66-1 (13)
- Harrisburg School District 41-2 (11)
- Meade School District 46-1 (11)
- Aberdeen School District 06-1 (10)
- Huron School District 02-2 (10)
- Mitchell School District 17-2 (9)
- Watertown School District 14-4 (9)
- Brandon Valley School District 49-2 (8)
- Bon Homme School District 04-2 (7)
- Doland School District 56-2 (7)
- Faulkton Area Schools 24-4 (7)
- Leola School District 44-2 (7)
- Parkston School District 33-3 (7)
- Plankinton School District 01-1 (7)
- Spearfish School District 40-2 (7)
- Wessington Springs School District 36-2 (7)
- Britton-hecla School District 45-4 (6)
- Tea Area School District 41-5 (6)
- Hanson School District 30-1 (6)
- Brookings School District 05-1 (6)
- Clark School District 12-2 (6)
- Custer School District 16-1 (6)
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, South Dakota Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.
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