Needs Improvement

#523 of 574 schools in SD

Bennett County Elementary School - 03

Elementary School · Bennett County School District 03-1

PO Box 580, Martin, SD 57551

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

229

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Enrollment

229

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#523 of 574

In Martin

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Bennett County School District 03-1

School environment

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Elementary School in Martin · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bennett County Elementary School - 03

Bennett County Elementary School - 03 is a public elementary school in Martin, SD, part of Bennett County School District 03-1. Bennett County Elementary School - 03 serves approximately 229 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Bennett County Elementary School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #523 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Bennett County Elementary School - 03 show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.3 pts below SD schools

3.8

This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
SD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Bennett County Elementary School - 03 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

31% of students at Bennett County Elementary School - 03 were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-4.11 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics2.8Needs Improvement30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected-11.5 pts

Adjusted Percentile10th

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1

Per-Pupil Spending$15,808

Chronic Absenteeism31%

Bennett County Elementary School - 03 — Students at Bennett County Elementary School - 03 score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 38.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009

Math

62%

ELA

67%

2010

Math

62%

ELA

57%

2011

Math

62%

ELA

57%

2012

Math

62%

ELA

62%

2014

Math

27%

ELA

27%

2015

Math

27%

ELA

42%

2016

Math

22%

ELA

37%

2017

Math

32%

ELA

37%

2018

Math

22%

ELA

27%

2019

Math

22%

ELA

27%

2020*

Math

17%

ELA

22%

2021*

Math

17%

ELA

22%

2022

Math

7.5%

ELA

17%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Bennett County Elementary School - 03 Compares

See how Bennett County Elementary School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

3.8/10

9th percentile in SD

Academic

2.8/10

Needs Improvement

Growth

2.7/10

Needs Improvement

Environment

8.2/10

Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

100%

Teaching Staff

11:1 student-teacher ratio

20 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

31.0%

Location

PO Box 580, Martin, SD 57551

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bennett County Elementary School - 03 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GORDON-RUSHVILLE ELEM-GORDON (rated 6.0/10, 34.8 miles away, in nearby Gordon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Batesland School - 01 (rated 4.9/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Batesland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, American Horse School (rated 4.1/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Allen), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Martin, see our Martin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

13 within 38.5 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Bennett County Middle School - 06 Martin	0.5 mi	114	3.6
Bennett County High School - 01 Martin	0.5 mi	128	4.6
American Horse School Allen	11.9 mi	223	4.1
Batesland School - 01 Batesland	18.4 mi	209	4.9
Oglala Lakota County Virtual High School - 92 Batesland	18.4 mi	167	4.2
Crazy Horse School Wanblee	27.8 mi	290	—
Longvalley Elementary - 10 Kadoka	26.4 mi	26	—
Little Wound School Kyle	28.0 mi	766	—
CODY-KILGORE HIGH SCHOOL Cody	29.7 mi	56	8.3
CODY-KILGORE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cody	29.7 mi	34	4.8
GORDON-RUSHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Gordon	34.3 mi	127	7.5
GORDON-RUSHVILLE ELEM-GORDON Gordon	34.8 mi	168	6.0
CUTCOMB LAKE SCHOOL Valentine	38.5 mi	2	—

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57551 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,500

Median Home Value

$138,300

Median Rent

$734/mo

Population

2,026

College Educated

29.5%

Homeownership

64.2%

Poverty Rate

23.9%

Median Age

35.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
Enemy Swim Day School Waubay, SD	156	3.8
McLaughlin Elementary - 02 Mclaughlin, SD	209	3.8
Redfield Elementary - 03 Redfield, SD	269	3.7
Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Elementary School Stephan, SD	142	3.9
Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 Rapid City, SD	297	3.6
McCook Central Elementary - 02 Salem, SD	208	3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bennett County Elementary School - 03

What grades does Bennett County Elementary School - 03 serve?

Bennett County Elementary School - 03 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bennett County Elementary School - 03?

Bennett County Elementary School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bennett County Elementary School - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Bennett County Elementary School - 03 is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bennett County Elementary School - 03 rank in SD?

Bennett County Elementary School - 03 ranks #523 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Bennett County Elementary School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Bennett County Elementary School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bennett County Elementary School - 03?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bennett County Elementary School - 03 has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Bennett County Elementary School - 03 a charter school?

No, Bennett County Elementary School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bennett County Elementary School - 03 a Title I school?

No, Bennett County Elementary School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bennett County Elementary School - 03?

100.0% of students at Bennett County Elementary School - 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.