Lake Preston School District 38-3
School District · Lake Preston, South Dakota
Avg Rating
7.8
out of 10
Schools
3
1 elem, 1 mid, 1 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,235
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
Avg Rating
7.8
out of 10
Schools
3
1 elem, 1 mid, 1 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,235
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
Evaluating Lake Preston School District 38-3?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Lake Preston School District 38-3 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.
Lake Preston Elementary - 02
Lake Preston · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Lake Preston High School - 01
Lake Preston · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Lake Preston Middle School - 03
Lake Preston · Middle. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
South Dakota rank
#15 of 142
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+1.6
above South Dakota avg
Per-pupil spending
$17,235
+$4,565 vs South Dakota median
District size
188 students
Smaller than South Dakota median
The short answer
Lake Preston School District 38-3 ranks #15 of 142 South Dakota districts by overall school rating. Lake Preston School District 38-3's schools with real test data average 7.8/10 across 3 schools. Its top-rated schools are Lake Preston Elementary - 02 (9.1/10), Lake Preston High School - 01 (7.7/10), and Lake Preston Middle School - 03 (6.6/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Lake Preston School District 38-3
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Preston Elementary - 02 | 9.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Lake Preston High School - 01 | 7.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Lake Preston Middle School - 03 | 6.6 / 10 |
See all 3 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Lake Preston School District 38-3
Lake Preston School District 38-3 is a Lake Preston, South Dakota school district serving 3 schools. The district educates 188 students with a student-teacher ratio of 9:1. The district invests $17,235 per student annually.
With an average rating of 7.8/10, Lake Preston School District 38-3 is among the strongest-performing districts in the state.
The highest-rated school in the district is Lake Preston Elementary - 02, which has a composite score of 9.1/10.
In standardized testing, Lake Preston School District 38-3 students show an average math proficiency of 59.3% and ELA proficiency of 65.8%.
The district includes 1 elementary school , 1 middle school , and 1 high school.
District Map
Schools in Lake Preston School District 38-3, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Lake Preston School District 38-3 with test data.
Schools in Lake Preston School District 38-3
3 schools Elementary Schools 1
Middle Schools 1
High Schools 1
District Details
- State
- South Dakota
- City
- Lake Preston
- Total Enrollment
- 188
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.1%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Lake Preston School District 38-3?
Lake Preston School District 38-3 has 3 schools in total — 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Lake Preston School District 38-3?
The average composite rating for Lake Preston School District 38-3 is 7.8/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Lake Preston School District 38-3?
Lake Preston School District 38-3 spends $17,235 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lake Preston School District 38-3?
The average student-teacher ratio in Lake Preston School District 38-3 is 9:1.
What is the top-rated school in Lake Preston School District 38-3?
Lake Preston Elementary - 02 is the highest-rated school in Lake Preston School District 38-3 with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What are the test scores in Lake Preston School District 38-3?
Across schools in Lake Preston School District 38-3 with test data, the average math proficiency is 59.3% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 65.8%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Lake Preston School District 38-3 compare to other districts in South Dakota?
Lake Preston School District 38-3 has an average school rating of 7.8/10 across 3 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
- 7.8/10
- Math Proficiency
- 59.3%
- ELA Proficiency
- 65.8%
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 Lake Preston School District 38-3 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)
- Chester Area School District 39-1 (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)
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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