Northwestern Area School District 56-7
School District · Mellette, South Dakota
Avg Rating
6.3
out of 10
Schools
5
2 elem, 1 mid, 2 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,473
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Avg Rating
6.3
out of 10
Schools
5
2 elem, 1 mid, 2 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,473
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Evaluating Northwestern Area School District 56-7?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Northwestern Area School District 56-7 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.
Northwestern Elementary - 04
Mellette · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Northwestern High School - 01
Mellette · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Northwestern Middle School - 02
Mellette · Middle. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
South Dakota rank
#78 of 142
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+0.0
above South Dakota avg
Per-pupil spending
$12,473
$197 vs South Dakota median
District size
359 students
Typical than South Dakota median
The short answer
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 ranks #78 of 142 South Dakota districts by overall school rating. Northwestern Area School District 56-7's schools with real test data average 6.3/10 across 4 schools. Its top-rated schools are Northwestern Elementary - 04 (7.2/10), Northwestern High School - 01 (6.9/10), and Northwestern Middle School - 02 (6.8/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Northwestern Area School District 56-7
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (4 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern Elementary - 04 | 7.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Northwestern High School - 01 | 6.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Northwestern Middle School - 02 | 6.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Isucceed - 92 | 4.1 / 10 |
See all 5 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Northwestern Area School District 56-7
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 is a Mellette, South Dakota school district serving 5 schools. The district educates 359 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1. The district invests $12,473 per student annually.
With an average rating of 6.3/10, Northwestern Area School District 56-7 demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Northwestern Elementary - 04, which has a composite score of 7.2/10.
In standardized testing, Northwestern Area School District 56-7 students show an average math proficiency of 54.9% and ELA proficiency of 63.5%.
The district includes 2 elementary schools , 1 middle school , and 2 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Northwestern Area School District 56-7, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Northwestern Area School District 56-7 with test data.
Schools in Northwestern Area School District 56-7
5 schools Elementary Schools 2
Middle Schools 1
High Schools 2
District Details
- State
- South Dakota
- City
- Mellette
- Total Enrollment
- 359
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.1%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Northwestern Area School District 56-7?
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 has 5 schools in total — 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Northwestern Area School District 56-7?
The average composite rating for Northwestern Area School District 56-7 is 6.3/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Northwestern Area School District 56-7?
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 spends $12,473 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Northwestern Area School District 56-7?
The average student-teacher ratio in Northwestern Area School District 56-7 is 14.4:1.
What is the top-rated school in Northwestern Area School District 56-7?
Northwestern Elementary - 04 is the highest-rated school in Northwestern Area School District 56-7 with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What are the test scores in Northwestern Area School District 56-7?
Across schools in Northwestern Area School District 56-7 with test data, the average math proficiency is 54.9% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 63.5%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Northwestern Area School District 56-7 compare to other districts in South Dakota?
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 has an average school rating of 6.3/10 across 5 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
- 6.3/10
- Math Proficiency
- 54.9%
- ELA Proficiency
- 63.5%
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 Northwestern Area School District 56-7 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.
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.