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Very Good

#162 of 574 schools in SD

Top 28% in state

Arlington Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Arlington School District 38-1

PO Box 359, Arlington, SD 57212

Enrollment

161

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Arlington

#2 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#88 of 271

In district

#2 of 3

Arlington School District 38-1

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Arlington Elementary - 02

Arlington Elementary - 02 serves 161 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in this tight-knit South Dakota community. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1 and 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that shows in its impressive academic results. The school ranks #59 out of 586 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10.

Students consistently perform well academically, with 77% achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels. This exceptional performance reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence in a supportive learning environment. Arlington Elementary draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $86,339 and home values average $235,500.

The area maintains a low poverty rate of 7.1%, with 30% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a foundation that supports student achievement. As a regular public school, Arlington Elementary - 02 combines small-school advantages with quality instruction, helping students build strong academic foundations during their elementary years. The school sits in South Dakota's remote rural landscape of Kingsbury County, where students benefit from both close community connections and dedicated educational focus.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 161 students, Arlington Elementary - 02 is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Arlington Elementary - 02 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 Progress6.4Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+26.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,023

Arlington Elementary - 02 — Students at Arlington Elementary - 02 score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 80.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 75.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
77%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Arlington Elementary - 02 Compares

See how Arlington Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in SD
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

PO Box 359, Arlington, SD 57212

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Arlington Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lake Preston Elementary - 02 (rated 9.7/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Lake Preston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hamlin Elementary - 09 (rated 7.5/10, 21.8 miles away, in nearby Hayti), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Dakota Prairie Elementary - 07 (rated 7.0/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Brookings), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Arlington, see our Arlington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Arlington High School - 01 Arlington 0.0 mi 6.0
Arlington Jr. High - 03 Arlington 0.0 mi 8.1
Arlington Preschool - 04 Arlington 0.0 mi
VOLGA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Volga 11.0 mi 5.6
Sioux Valley High School - 01 Volga 11.1 mi 6.9
Sioux Valley Middle School - 04 Volga 11.1 mi 5.3
Sioux Valley Elementary - 02 Volga 11.1 mi 6.2
Lake Preston Elementary - 02 Lake Preston 11.7 mi 9.7
Lake Preston High School - 01 Lake Preston 11.7 mi 7.7
Lake Preston Middle School - 03 Lake Preston 11.7 mi 8.3
Estelline Elementary - 02 Estelline 18.9 mi 5.1
Estelline High School - 01 Estelline 19.0 mi 4.8
Estelline Middle School - 03 Estelline 19.0 mi 4.9
Hamlin Middle School - 02 Hayti 21.8 mi 4.7
Hamlin High School - 01 Hayti 21.8 mi 5.0
Hamlin Elementary - 09 Hayti 21.8 mi 7.5
Dakota Prairie Elementary - 07 Brookings 17.6 mi 7.0
Madison Elementary - 07 Madison 23.9 mi 5.3
Madison Middle School - 02 Madison 24.0 mi 5.5
Madison High School - 01 Madison 24.0 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57212 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,029

Median Home Value

$229,900

Median Rent

$812/mo

Population

1,880

College Educated

21.1%

Homeownership

81.1%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.7%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Arlington Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $91,029. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $229,900, with a median rent of $812/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Challenge Center - 51 Sioux Falls, SD 7.2
Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04 North Sioux City, SD 7.2
Hanson Elementary - 06 Alexandria, SD 7.3
Mobridge Upper Elementary - 04 Mobridge, SD 7.3
CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City, SD 7.1
IMACULATE CONCEPTION Watertown, SD 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Arlington Elementary - 02

What grades does Arlington Elementary - 02 serve?

Arlington Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Arlington Elementary - 02?

Arlington Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 161 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Arlington Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Arlington Elementary - 02 is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Arlington Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Arlington Elementary - 02 is ranked #162 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Arlington Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Arlington Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Arlington Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arlington Elementary - 02 has 80.3% math proficiency and 75.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Arlington Elementary - 02 a charter school?

No, Arlington Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Arlington Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

No, Arlington Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Arlington Elementary - 02?

19.3% of students at Arlington Elementary - 02 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
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (173/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Kingsbury County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Arlington School District 38-1
District Enrollment
301
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,195
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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