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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.4Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,044

Bison Elementary - 02 — Students at Bison Elementary - 02 score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.8%
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
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Bison Elementary - 02 Compares

See how Bison Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
93th percentile in SD
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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.

8 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bison School District 52-1
District Enrollment
137
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,642
District Rank
#1 of 2

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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