Average
#429 of 574 schools in SD
Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09
High School · Belle Fourche School District 09-1
2305 13th Ave, Belle Fourche, SD 57717
Enrollment
35
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
35
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Belle Fourche
#3 of 5
public schools
South Dakota high schools
#120 of 156
In district
#3 of 5
Belle Fourche School District 09-1
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09
Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 is an alternative high school serving students in grades 9 through 12. Located at 2305 13th Ave in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, the school provides a unique learning environment for its small community of 35 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1 and two full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed.
The academic performance at Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 is currently in need of improvement. The MySchoolScout rating for the school is 3.6 out of 10, placing it near the bottom among South Dakota schools (#500 out of 586). In terms of test scores, only 28% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 15% are proficient or above in Math.
Despite these challenges, Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 continues to focus on student development and support within its remote setting. The school is an integral part of the small town community in Butte County, providing crucial educational services for local youth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 35 students, Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 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.
While current test scores at Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 — Students at Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.4%
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: 7.7/10.
How Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 Compares
See how Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 30% (2022).
Location
2305 13th Ave, Belle Fourche, SD 57717
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lead-Deadwood High School - 01 (rated 7.8/10, 22.1 miles away, in nearby Lead), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spearfish High School - 01 (rated 6.0/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Spearfish), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Newell High School - 01 (rated 5.8/10, 20.7 miles away, in nearby Newell), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Belle Fourche, see our Belle Fourche schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57717 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,326
Median Home Value
$215,000
Median Rent
$937/mo
Population
8,711
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Median Age
38.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 has a median household income of $71,326. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $215,000, with a median rent of $937/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% 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 |
|---|---|
| Bowdle High School - 01 Bowdle, SD | 5.1 |
| White Lake High School - 01 White Lake, SD | 4.9 |
| Oelrichs High School - 01 Oelrichs, SD | 5.6 |
| Colome High School - 01 Colome, SD | 6.0 |
| Todd County Achievement High School - 17 Mission, SD | 6.2 |
| Edgemont High School - 01 Edgemont, SD | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09
What grades does Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 serve?
Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09?
Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 has an enrollment of approximately 35 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09?
The student-teacher ratio at Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 rank in SD?
Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 is ranked #429 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09's MySchoolScout rating?
Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 has 15.0% math proficiency and 28.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 a charter school?
No, Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 a Title I school?
No, Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09?
31.4% of students at Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 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
- City Safety
- High (2,452/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Belle Fourche). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 35
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.4%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Butte County
- Phone
- (605) 723-0955
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Belle Fourche School District 09-1- District Enrollment
- 1,296
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,737
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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.
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