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
Enrollment
46
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Bison High School - 01 — Students at Bison High School - 01 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.6%
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
↓ 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: 1.9/10.
How Bison High School - 01 Compares
See how Bison High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 75% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 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
- #2 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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