Excellent
#40 of 574 schools in SD
Top 7% in state
Bison Elementary - 02
Elementary School · Bison School District 52-1
PO Box 9, Bison, SD 57620
Enrollment
71
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
71
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bison
#1 of 2
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#26 of 271
In district
#1 of 2
Bison School District 52-1
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Bison Elementary - 02
Bison Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in Bison, SD, part of the Bison School District 52-1. The school serves approximately 71 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 93.2th percentile among SD schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 41% proficiency in math and 48% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $73,500, where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 71 students, Bison 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, Bison Elementary - 02 offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Bison 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Bison Elementary - 02 — Students at Bison Elementary - 02 score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.1%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Bison Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Bison Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 9, Bison, SD 57620
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bison Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HETTINGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 33.8 miles away, in nearby Hettinger), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lemmon Elementary - 02 (rated 6.3/10, 31.8 miles away, in nearby Lemmon), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bison, see our Bison schools guide .
Nearby Schools
7 within 31.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bison High School - 01 Bison | 0.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Bison Jr. High - 04 Bison | 0.0 mi | — |
| HETTINGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hettinger | 33.8 mi | 6.6 |
| HETTINGER HIGH SCHOOL Hettinger | 33.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Lemmon Elementary - 02 Lemmon | 31.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Lemmon High School - 01 Lemmon | 31.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Lemmon Jr. High - 06 Lemmon | 31.9 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57620 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,500
Median Home Value
$92,100
Median Rent
$943/mo
Population
590
College Educated
23.2%
Homeownership
77.1%
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Median Age
46.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bison Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $73,500. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $92,100, with a median rent of $943/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hoven Elementary - 02 Hoven, SD | 8.4 |
| Gettysburg Elementary - 02 Gettysburg, SD | 8.3 |
| Doland Elementary - 03 Doland, SD | 8.7 |
| CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY LOVING SCHOOL Sioux Falls, SD | 8.1 |
| Eagle Butte Primary - 02 Eagle Butte, SD | 8.1 |
| Little Eagle School Little Eagle, SD | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bison Elementary - 02
What grades does Bison Elementary - 02 serve?
Bison Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Bison Elementary - 02?
Bison Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 71 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bison Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Bison Elementary - 02 is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bison Elementary - 02 rank in SD?
Bison Elementary - 02 is ranked #40 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Bison Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Bison Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Bison Elementary - 02?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bison Elementary - 02 has 41.2% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bison Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, Bison Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bison Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, Bison Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bison Elementary - 02?
21.1% of students at Bison 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 71
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Perkins County
- Phone
- (605) 244-5271
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bison School District 52-1- District Enrollment
- 137
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,642
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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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