Very Good
#163 of 574 schools in SD
Top 28% in state
Bowdle Elementary - 02
Elementary School · Bowdle School District 22-1
PO Box 563, Bowdle, SD 57428
Enrollment
38
Student-Teacher
5.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
38
Student-Teacher
5.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bowdle
#1 of 2
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#89 of 271
In district
#1 of 2
Bowdle School District 22-1
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Bowdle Elementary - 02
Bowdle Elementary - 02 serves 38 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in the small farming community of Bowdle, South Dakota. This public elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.4:1 with seven full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly individualized attention that many larger schools cannot provide. The school has earned a solid 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks 127th out of 586 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile among South Dakota schools.
Students demonstrate steady academic performance with 54% achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels. Bowdle Elementary serves families in a close-knit rural community where the median household income is $57,273 and median home values are $100,000. The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 5%, and about one in five adults holds a bachelor's degree or higher.
With a ZIP code population of only 498 residents, this creates an intimate educational environment where teachers, students, and families know each other well. Located in remote rural Edmunds County, Bowdle Elementary offers the advantages of small-town education where every student receives personal attention and becomes part of a tight-knit school family.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 38 students, Bowdle 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 5.4:1, Bowdle 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, Bowdle 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Bowdle Elementary - 02 — Students at Bowdle Elementary - 02 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.8%
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: 5.8/10.
How Bowdle Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Bowdle Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 49.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 563, Bowdle, SD 57428
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bowdle Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eureka Elementary - 02 (rated 9.4/10, 22.0 miles away, in nearby Eureka), which scores notably higher. Another option is Selby Elementary - 02 (rated 9.2/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Selby), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hoven Elementary - 02 (rated 8.4/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Hoven), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bowdle, see our Bowdle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 27.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bowdle High School - 01 Bowdle | 0.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Bowdle Jr. High - 03 Bowdle | 0.0 mi | — |
| Bowdle Preschool - 04 Bowdle | 0.0 mi | — |
| Hoven Elementary - 02 Hoven | 15.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Hoven High School - 01 Hoven | 15.8 mi | — |
| Hoven Jr. High - 03 Hoven | 15.8 mi | — |
| Boulder Colony School - 06 Roscoe | 14.5 mi | — |
| Edmunds Central High School - 01 Roscoe | 15.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Edmunds Central Middle School - 02 Roscoe | 15.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Edmunds Central Elementary - 05 Roscoe | 15.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Eureka Elementary - 02 Eureka | 22.0 mi | 9.4 |
| Eureka High School - 01 Eureka | 22.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Eureka Jr. High - 03 Eureka | 22.0 mi | — |
| Selby High School - 01 Selby | 18.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Selby Elementary - 02 Selby | 18.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Selby Middle School - 03 Selby | 18.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Brentwood Colony Elementary - 05 Faulkton | 26.8 mi | — |
| Brentwood Colony Virtual High School - 92 Faulkton | 26.8 mi | — |
| Thunderbird Colony Elementary - 10 Faulkton | 25.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Blumengard Colony Elementary - 06 Faulkton | 27.4 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57428 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,750
Median Home Value
$114,300
Median Rent
$693/mo
Population
569
College Educated
24.5%
Homeownership
62.8%
Poverty Rate
12%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bowdle Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $57,750. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $114,300, with a median rent of $693/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 Parkston, SD | 7.3 |
| Rock Creek Grant School Bullhead, SD | 7.3 |
| Central Meade County School - 09 Whitewood, SD | 7.4 |
| Upland Colony Elementary - 05 Forestburg, SD | 7.6 |
| Grass Ranch Colony Elementary - 13 Kimball, SD | 6.8 |
| Red Shirt School - 04 Batesland, SD | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bowdle Elementary - 02
What grades does Bowdle Elementary - 02 serve?
Bowdle Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Bowdle Elementary - 02?
Bowdle Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 38 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bowdle Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Bowdle Elementary - 02 is 5.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bowdle Elementary - 02 rank in SD?
Bowdle Elementary - 02 is ranked #163 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Bowdle Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Bowdle Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Bowdle Elementary - 02?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bowdle Elementary - 02 has 52.8% math proficiency and 59.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bowdle Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, Bowdle Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bowdle Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, Bowdle Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bowdle Elementary - 02?
36.8% of students at Bowdle 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 – 5th
- Enrollment
- 38
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Edmunds County
- Phone
- (605) 285-6590
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bowdle School District 22-1- District Enrollment
- 109
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,422
- 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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.