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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-26.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,517

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.3%
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
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
30%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.2/10
25th percentile in SD
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Belle Fourche High School - 01 Belle Fourche 0.0 mi 4.8
South Park Elementary - 03 Belle Fourche 0.7 mi 5.2
Belle Fourche Middle School - 07 Belle Fourche 1.1 mi 4.4
North Park Elementary - 08 Belle Fourche 1.2 mi 6.8
Creekside Elementary - 07 Spearfish 10.8 mi 6.4
Spearfish High School - 01 Spearfish 11.3 mi 6.0
Spearfish Middle School - 05 Spearfish 11.4 mi 6.4
West Elementary - 03 Spearfish 11.9 mi 6.5
Mountain View Elementary - 08 Spearfish 12.0 mi 6.5
Spearfish Academy at Canyon Hills Elementary - 09 Spearfish 12.5 mi
Spearfish Academy at Canyon Hills High School - 10 Spearfish 12.5 mi
BLACK HILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spearfish 13.4 mi 6.7
Whitewood Elementary - 04 Whitewood 17.2 mi 9.0
Lead-Deadwood Elementary - 03 Deadwood 20.7 mi 6.4
Lead-Deadwood Middle School - 02 Lead 22.1 mi 7.8
Lead-Deadwood High School - 01 Lead 22.1 mi 7.8
Sturgis Williams Middle School - 02 Sturgis 23.8 mi 5.7
Sturgis Elementary - 03 Sturgis 24.2 mi 7.2
Newell Elementary - 02 Newell 20.7 mi 7.6
Newell High School - 01 Newell 20.7 mi 5.8

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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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