Below Average
#435 of 574 schools in SD
Bison Elementary - 02
Elementary School · Bison School District 52-1
PO Box 9, Bison, SD 57620
Enrollment
71
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
71
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Dakota schools
#435 of 574
In Bison
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#2 of 2
Bison School District 52-1
School environment
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Bison Elementary - 02
Elementary School in Bison · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bison High School - 01
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bison Jr. High - 04
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bison Elementary - 02
Bison Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in Bison, SD, part of Bison School District 52-1. Bison Elementary - 02 serves approximately 71 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 7.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Bison Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #435 of 574 schools in SD.
Structured state assessment records for Bison Elementary - 02 show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- SD avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 71 students, Bison Elementary - 02 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 7.9:1 students to teachers, Bison Elementary - 02 sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Bison Elementary - 02 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.1/10.
How Bison Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Bison Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Lemmon Elementary - 02 (rated 7.4/10, 31.8 miles away, in nearby Lemmon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HETTINGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 4.4/10, 33.8 miles away, in nearby Hettinger), with a comparable rating. 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 | 8.1 |
| Bison Jr. High - 04 Bison | 0.0 mi | — |
| HETTINGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hettinger | 33.8 mi | 4.4 |
| HETTINGER HIGH SCHOOL Hettinger | 33.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Lemmon Elementary - 02 Lemmon | 31.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Lemmon High School - 01 Lemmon | 31.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Lemmon Jr. High - 06 Lemmon | 31.9 mi | 5.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ST AGNES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vermillion, SD | 4.9 |
| Avon Elementary - 02 Avon, SD | 5.0 |
| Central Meade County School - 09 Whitewood, SD | 4.8 |
| Edgemont Elementary - 03 Edgemont, SD | 5.1 |
| ST LAWRENCE SCHOOL Milbank, SD | 5.1 |
| Tripp Elementary - 03 Tripp, SD | 4.7 |
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 ranks #435 of 574 schools in SD.
What is Bison Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Bison Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Bison Elementary - 02?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bison Elementary - 02 has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 5.6%
- Phone
- (605) 244-5271
Resources & Links
District
Bison School District 52-1- District Enrollment
- 137
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,642
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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