Excellent

#36 of 574 schools in SD

Top 6% in state

Bowdle Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Bowdle School District 22-1

PO Box 563, Bowdle, SD 57428

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

5.4:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

5.4:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#36 of 574

In Bowdle

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Bowdle School District 22-1

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Elementary School in Bowdle · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Bowdle Elementary - 02

Bowdle Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in Bowdle, SD, part of Bowdle School District 22-1. Bowdle Elementary - 02 serves approximately 38 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 5.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Bowdle Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #36 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Bowdle Elementary - 02 show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.5 pts above SD schools

8.6

This school 8.6 · Excellent
SD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 38 students, Bowdle 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 5.4:1 students to teachers, Bowdle Elementary - 02 sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Bowdle 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 metrics

Student Progress8.5Excellent50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-1.31 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics8.0Excellent30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency54.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+9.7 pts

Adjusted Percentile69th

Resources & Environment9.9Excellent20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio5.4:1

Per-Pupil Spending$19,422

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 59.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 61.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009

Math

64.5%

ELA

64.5%

2010

Math

74.5%

ELA

74.5%

2011

Math

84.5%

ELA

74.5%

2012

Math

74.5%

ELA

74.5%

2014

Math

44.5%

ELA

34.5%

2015

Math

34.5%

ELA

44.5%

2016

Math

64.5%

ELA

54.5%

2017

Math

64.5%

ELA

74.5%

2018

Math

49.5%

ELA

69.5%

2019

Math

49.5%

ELA

69.5%

2020*

Math

54.5%

ELA

54.5%

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: 8.5/10.

How Bowdle Elementary - 02 Compares

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

Overall Score

8.6/10

94th percentile in SD

Academic

8.0/10

Excellent

Growth

8.5/10

Excellent

Environment

9.9/10

Excellent

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. Hoven Elementary - 02 (rated 8.7/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Hoven), with a very similar rating. Another option is Eureka Elementary - 02 (rated 8.6/10, 22.0 miles away, in nearby Eureka), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Thunderbird Colony Elementary - 10 (rated 8.5/10, 25.9 miles away, in nearby Faulkton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bowdle, see our Bowdle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.4 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Bowdle High School - 01 Bowdle	0.0 mi	38	6.7
Bowdle Jr. High - 03 Bowdle	0.0 mi	21	—
Bowdle Preschool - 04 Bowdle	0.0 mi	12	—
Hoven Elementary - 02 Hoven	15.8 mi	77	8.7
Hoven High School - 01 Hoven	15.8 mi	20	—
Hoven Jr. High - 03 Hoven	15.8 mi	15	—
Boulder Colony School - 06 Roscoe	14.5 mi	11	—
Edmunds Central High School - 01 Roscoe	15.2 mi	39	8.2
Edmunds Central Middle School - 02 Roscoe	15.2 mi	32	5.9
Edmunds Central Elementary - 05 Roscoe	15.2 mi	64	5.3
Eureka Elementary - 02 Eureka	22.0 mi	105	8.6
Eureka High School - 01 Eureka	22.0 mi	39	7.7
Eureka Jr. High - 03 Eureka	22.0 mi	27	—
Selby High School - 01 Selby	18.9 mi	52	8.4
Selby Elementary - 02 Selby	18.9 mi	85	7.0
Selby Middle School - 03 Selby	18.9 mi	46	5.4
Brentwood Colony Elementary - 05 Faulkton	26.8 mi	19	—
Brentwood Colony Virtual High School - 92 Faulkton	26.8 mi	5	—
Thunderbird Colony Elementary - 10 Faulkton	25.9 mi	32	8.5
Blumengard Colony Elementary - 06 Faulkton	27.4 mi	34	5.4

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
Thunderbird Colony Elementary - 10 Faulkton, SD	32	8.5
Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04 Freeman, SD	34	8.7
Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14 Platte, SD	43	8.9
Springfield Elementary - 03 Springfield, SD	48	8.9
BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S HOME Rapid City, SD	36	8.2
SAPA UN CATHOLIC ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Saint Francis, SD	43	8.1

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 ranks #36 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Bowdle Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Bowdle Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Bowdle Elementary - 02?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bowdle Elementary - 02 has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.