Skip to main content

Excellent

#64 of 574 schools in SD

Top 11% in state

Arlington Jr. High - 03

Middle School · Arlington School District 38-1

PO Box 359, Arlington, SD 57212

Enrollment

37

Student-Teacher

18.5:1

Score

8.1

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Arlington

#1 of 3

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#14 of 144

In district

#1 of 3

Arlington School District 38-1

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Arlington Jr. High - 03

Arlington Jr. High - 03 serves 37 students in grades 7-8 in this small South Dakota community, maintaining an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1 and just 2 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its modest size, the school demonstrates impressive academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking 95th out of 586 schools statewide, placing it in the 84th percentile.

The school's academic strength is evident in its test scores, with 74% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Math across grade levels. This consistent performance across core subjects reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence in a close-knit setting where teachers can provide individualized attention. Arlington Jr.

High serves a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $86,339 and median home values are $235,500. With 30% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 7.1%, the school benefits from a supportive family environment that values education. Located in remote rural Kingsbury County, Arlington Jr.

High - 03 offers students a personalized middle school experience in South Dakota's peaceful countryside, where small class sizes foster strong relationships between students and educators.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 37 students, Arlington Jr. High - 03 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 Jr. High - 03 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 Progress9.8Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+7.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.6Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5%
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+22.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
Resources & Environment3.4Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,023

Arlington Jr. High - 03 — Students at Arlington Jr. High - 03 score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 74.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2022
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Arlington Jr. High - 03 Compares

See how Arlington Jr. High - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
89th percentile in SD
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

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

Location

PO Box 359, Arlington, SD 57212

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Arlington Jr. High - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lake Preston Middle School - 03 (rated 8.3/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Lake Preston), with a very similar rating. Another option is Madison Middle School - 02 (rated 5.5/10, 24.0 miles away, in nearby Madison), a more accessible option. Additionally, Sioux Valley Middle School - 04 (rated 5.3/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Volga), a more accessible option. For more schools in Arlington, see our Arlington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Arlington Elementary - 02 Arlington 0.0 mi 7.2
Arlington High School - 01 Arlington 0.0 mi 6.0
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 Jr. High - 03 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
Colome Middle School - 03 Colome, SD 8.1
Lake Preston Middle School - 03 Lake Preston, SD 8.3
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 Wessington Springs, SD 8.3
Highmore Jr. High - 03 Highmore, SD 7.8
Deubrook Jr. High - 02 White, SD 8.4
Sanborn Central Middle School - 02 Forestburg, SD 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Arlington Jr. High - 03

What grades does Arlington Jr. High - 03 serve?

Arlington Jr. High - 03 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Arlington Jr. High - 03?

Arlington Jr. High - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 37 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Arlington Jr. High - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Arlington Jr. High - 03 is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Arlington Jr. High - 03 rank in SD?

Arlington Jr. High - 03 is ranked #64 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Arlington Jr. High - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Arlington Jr. High - 03 has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Jr. High - 03?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arlington Jr. High - 03 has 74.5% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Arlington Jr. High - 03 a charter school?

No, Arlington Jr. High - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Arlington Jr. High - 03 a Title I school?

No, Arlington Jr. High - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Arlington Jr. High - 03?

16.2% of students at Arlington Jr. High - 03 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
7th – 8th
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.2%
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
#1 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

Related reading

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.