Willow Lake School District 12-3
School District · Willow Lake, South Dakota
Avg Rating
6.9
out of 10
Schools
6
4 elem, 1 mid, 1 high
Enrollment
338
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Avg Rating
6.9
out of 10
Schools
6
4 elem, 1 mid, 1 high
Enrollment
338
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Evaluating Willow Lake School District 12-3?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Willow Lake School District 12-3 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.
Willow Lake High School - 01
Willow Lake · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04
Willow Lake · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Willow Lake Elementary - 02
Willow Lake · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
South Dakota rank
#44 of 142
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+0.7
above South Dakota avg
Per-pupil spending
$11,529
$1,141 vs South Dakota median
District size
338 students
Typical than South Dakota median
The short answer
Willow Lake School District 12-3 ranks #44 of 142 South Dakota districts by overall school rating. Willow Lake School District 12-3's schools with real test data average 6.9/10 across 4 schools. Its top-rated schools are Willow Lake High School - 01 (7.9/10), Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 (6.9/10), and Willow Lake Elementary - 02 (6.4/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Willow Lake School District 12-3
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (4 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Willow Lake High School - 01 | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 | 6.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Willow Lake Elementary - 02 | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Willow Lake Middle School - 03 | 6.4 / 10 |
See all 6 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Willow Lake School District 12-3
Willow Lake School District 12-3 is a Willow Lake, South Dakota school district serving 6 schools.The district educates 338 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1. District-level spending was $11,529 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 6.9/10, Willow Lake School District 12-3 demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Willow Lake High School - 01, which has a composite score of 7.9/10.
In standardized testing, Willow Lake School District 12-3 students show an average math proficiency of 43.8% and ELA proficiency of 51.9%.
The district includes 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
District Map
Schools in Willow Lake School District 12-3, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Willow Lake School District 12-3 with test data.
Schools in Willow Lake School District 12-3
6 schoolsDistrict Details
- State
- South Dakota
- City
- Willow Lake
- Total Enrollment
- 338
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- District spending per student
- $11,529NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 8.8%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Willow Lake School District 12-3?
Willow Lake School District 12-3 has 6 schools in total — 4 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 Willow Lake School District 12-3?
The average composite rating for Willow Lake School District 12-3 is 6.9/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Willow Lake School District 12-3?
Willow Lake School District 12-3's district-level spending was $11,529 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Willow Lake School District 12-3?
The average student-teacher ratio in Willow Lake School District 12-3 is 13.5:1.
What is the top-rated school in Willow Lake School District 12-3?
Willow Lake High School - 01 is the highest-rated school in Willow Lake School District 12-3 with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What are the test scores in Willow Lake School District 12-3?
Across schools in Willow Lake School District 12-3 with test data, the average math proficiency is 43.8% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 51.9%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Willow Lake School District 12-3 compare to other districts in South Dakota?
Willow Lake School District 12-3 has an average school rating of 6.9/10 across 6 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
- 6.9/10
- Math Proficiency
- 43.8%
- ELA Proficiency
- 51.9%
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 Willow Lake School District 12-3 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)
- Brookings School District 05-1 (6)
- Clark School District 12-2 (6)
- Custer School District 16-1 (6)
- Eagle Butte School District 20-1 (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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