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Very Good

#104 of 451 schools in ND

Top 23% in state

South Heart Elementary School

Elementary School · SOUTH HEART 9

PO Box 159, South Heart, ND 58655

Enrollment

243

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In South Heart

#1 of 2

public schools

North Dakota elementary schools

#69 of 252

In district

#1 of 2

SOUTH HEART 9

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About South Heart Elementary School

South Heart Elementary School serves 243 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in the small rural community of South Heart, North Dakota. With 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks impressively at 67th out of 457 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile.

Students show steady achievement with 57% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 52% reach proficiency in mathematics. The school's academic score of 8.6 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. South Heart Elementary operates within a stable, close-knit community where the median household income reaches $115,139 and the poverty rate remains remarkably low at just 0.7%.

The median home value of $284,400 indicates a well-established residential area, while the ZIP code's population of 591 residents creates an intimate small-town atmosphere where families often know one another. Located in rural Stark County, South Heart Elementary provides students with the benefits of small-school education in a tight-knit agricultural community that values education and family connections.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Heart Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,168

South Heart Elementary School — Students at South Heart Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

9.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ND state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
57%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.0/10.

How South Heart Elementary School Compares

See how South Heart Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
77th percentile in ND
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
10%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

PO Box 159, South Heart, ND 58655

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Heart Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Dickinson), with a very similar rating. Another option is BELFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Belfield), with a comparable rating. Additionally, HEART RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Dickinson), a more accessible option. For more schools in South Heart, see our South Heart schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.8 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTH HEART HIGH SCHOOL South Heart 0.0 mi 4.9
SOUTH HEART HIGH VIRTUAL ACADEMY South Heart 0.0 mi
SOUTH HEART ELEMENTARY VIRTUAL ACADEMY South Heart 0.0 mi
DICKINSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Dickinson 8.1 mi 4.8
DICKINSON HIGH SCHOOL Dickinson 8.9 mi 3.9
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dickinson 9.0 mi 3.9
HEART RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dickinson 9.1 mi 5.7
TRINITY ELEMENTARY NORTH SCHOOL Dickinson 9.3 mi 7.3
TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Dickinson 9.3 mi 6.0
PRAIRIE ROSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dickinson 9.5 mi 2.8
ROUGHRIDER ELEMENTARY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Dickinson 9.5 mi
SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Dickinson 9.5 mi 5.4
ROUGHRIDER HIGH VIRTUAL ACADEMY Dickinson 9.5 mi 4.0
TRINITY ELEMENTARY WEST Dickinson 9.5 mi 5.6
P S BERG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dickinson 9.6 mi 5.6
HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dickinson 9.9 mi 6.8
BELFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Belfield 9.8 mi 6.6
BELFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Belfield 9.8 mi 5.1
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM Dickinson 9.7 mi 5.1
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dickinson 9.8 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58655 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$136,771

Median Home Value

$303,700

Median Rent

$712/mo

Population

644

College Educated

19.3%

Homeownership

83.8%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

2.2%

Median Age

36.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Heart Elementary School has a median household income of $136,771. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $303,700, with a median rent of $712/month. The local poverty rate of 2.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CLARA BARTON HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo, ND 7.4
WILLIAM S GUSSNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jamestown, ND 7.4
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Valley City, ND 7.5
RAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ray, ND 7.5
ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alexander, ND 7.6
BM HANSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harvey, ND 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Heart Elementary School

What grades does South Heart Elementary School serve?

South Heart Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend South Heart Elementary School?

South Heart Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 243 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Heart Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Heart Elementary School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Heart Elementary School rank in ND?

South Heart Elementary School is ranked #104 out of 451 schools in ND.

What is South Heart Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Heart Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at South Heart Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Heart Elementary School has 50.3% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Heart Elementary School a charter school?

No, South Heart Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Heart Elementary School a Title I school?

No, South Heart Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Heart Elementary School?

9.9% of students at South Heart Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (242/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
243
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
9.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Stark County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SOUTH HEART 9
District Enrollment
417
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,271
District Rank
#1 of 2

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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