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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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,306

Bowdle Elementary - 02 — Students at Bowdle Elementary - 02 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.5%
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
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
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: 5.8/10.

How Bowdle Elementary - 02 Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in SD
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bowdle School District 22-1
District Enrollment
109
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,422
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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