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Average

#263 of 574 schools in SD

Top 46% in state

Bison High School - 01

High School · Bison School District 52-1

PO Box 9, Bison, SD 57620

Enrollment

46

Student-Teacher

7.7:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bison

#2 of 2

public schools

South Dakota high schools

#75 of 156

In district

#2 of 2

Bison School District 52-1

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Bison High School - 01

Bison High School - 01 is a small, rural high school located in the remote town of Bison, South Dakota. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 46 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, which allows for individualized attention. With six full-time equivalent teachers, Bison High School offers a close-knit environment where each student can receive personalized support.

Academically, Bison High School scores above average in English Language Arts (ELA), with 75% of students meeting proficiency standards. However, the math performance is lower at 42%, indicating areas for growth and development. The school ranks 54th percentile among South Dakota schools, reflecting its commitment to student development despite room for improvement in certain areas.

The rural setting of Bison provides a tight-knit community where every student is known personally by teachers and staff. This environment fosters strong relationships between students, faculty, and the larger town community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 46 students, Bison High School - 01 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 7.7:1, Bison High School - 01 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 High School - 01 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,044

Bison High School - 01 — Students at Bison High School - 01 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 75.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
75%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Bison High School - 01 Compares

See how Bison High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
54th percentile in SD
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

PO Box 9, Bison, SD 57620

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bison High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lemmon High School - 01 (rated 7.6/10, 31.9 miles away, in nearby Lemmon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HETTINGER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 33.8 miles away, in nearby Hettinger), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bison, see our Bison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

7 within 31.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Bison Elementary - 02 Bison 0.0 mi 8.4
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 High School - 01 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
Edmunds Central High School - 01 Roscoe, SD 6.4
Edgemont High School - 01 Edgemont, SD 6.3
Herreid High School - 01 Herreid, SD 6.3
Montrose High School - 01 Montrose, SD 6.3
Armour High School - 01 Armour, SD 6.2
Selby High School - 01 Selby, SD 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bison High School - 01

What grades does Bison High School - 01 serve?

Bison High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bison High School - 01?

Bison High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 46 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bison High School - 01?

The student-teacher ratio at Bison High School - 01 is 7.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bison High School - 01 rank in SD?

Bison High School - 01 is ranked #263 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Bison High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?

Bison High School - 01 has a composite rating of 6.4 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 High School - 01?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bison High School - 01 has 41.7% math proficiency and 75.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bison High School - 01 a charter school?

No, Bison High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bison High School - 01 a Title I school?

No, Bison High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bison High School - 01?

32.6% of students at Bison High School - 01 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
46
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.6%
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
#2 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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