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
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Arlington Elementary - 02 — Students at Arlington Elementary - 02 score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 77% (2019) to 77% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (605) 983-5741
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Arlington School District 38-1- District Enrollment
- 301
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,195
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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