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Very Good

#102 of 574 schools in SD

Top 18% in state

Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Bridgewater-Emery 30-3

PO Box 350, Bridgewater, SD 57319

Enrollment

159

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota elementary schools

#57 of 271

In district

#1 of 3

Bridgewater-Emery 30-3

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02

Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 serves 159 students in grades PreK through 5th in Bridgewater, South Dakota. This regular public school operates with 12 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 that allows for more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks an impressive #50 out of 586 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile.

Students consistently perform well on standardized assessments, with 72% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 67% meet or exceed proficiency standards in Mathematics. The school earns a particularly strong academic score of 9.1 out of 10. The surrounding community in ZIP code 57319 is characterized by stability and modest prosperity, with a median household income of $63,450 and median home values of $112,500.

About one-third of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains low at 7.8%. With a total population of 936, this tight-knit community reflects the values and close connections typical of rural South Dakota. Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 is situated in a remote rural area of McCook County, offering students an education grounded in small-town community values.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 159 students, Bridgewater-emery 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.

Located in a rural area, Bridgewater-emery 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 Progress6.8Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+25.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,327

Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 — Students at Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 65.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
72%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
82th percentile in SD
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

PO Box 350, Bridgewater, SD 57319

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Salem), a more accessible option. Another option is Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04 (rated 6.6/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Freeman), a more accessible option. Additionally, Marion Elementary - 02 (rated 6.1/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Marion), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bridgewater, see our Bridgewater schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Bridgewater-Emery High School - 01 Emery 6.7 mi 5.6
Bridgewater-Emery Middle School - 04 Emery 6.7 mi 7.2
Goldenview Colony School - 04 Salem 9.9 mi
ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem 13.3 mi 6.6
McCook Central Elementary - 02 Salem 13.4 mi 4.4
McCook Central High School - 01 Salem 13.4 mi 4.3
McCook Central Middle School - 03 Salem 13.4 mi 4.8
Canistota Elementary - 02 Canistota 10.8 mi 5.6
Canistota High School - 01 Canistota 10.8 mi 8.1
Canistota Middle School - 03 Canistota 10.8 mi 5.1
FREEMAN ACADEMY Freeman 14.6 mi 8.3
Freeman High School - 01 Freeman 14.8 mi 5.3
Freeman Jr High - 05 Freeman 14.8 mi 6.2
Freeman Elementary - 02 Freeman 14.9 mi 4.9
Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04 Freeman 15.1 mi 6.6
Oaklane Colony Elementary - 05 Alexandria 12.5 mi 4.3
Tschetter Colony Elementary - 03 Freeman 15.7 mi 4.7
Marion Elementary - 02 Marion 15.2 mi 6.1
Marion High School - 01 Marion 15.2 mi 8.2
Marion Middle School - 03 Marion 15.2 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57319 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,250

Median Home Value

$150,600

Median Rent

$719/mo

Population

873

College Educated

29.8%

Homeownership

82.3%

Poverty Rate

8.1%

Median Age

41.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $64,250. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,600, with a median rent of $719/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% 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
RONCALLI PRIMARY SCHOOL Aberdeen, SD 7.8
Sanborn Central Elementary - 06 Forestburg, SD 7.7
Warner Elementary - 02 Warner, SD 7.7
Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 Wakonda, SD 7.9
Pahin Sinte Owayawa Porcupine, SD 7.9
SACRED HEART MIDDLE SCHOOL - Yankton, SD 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02

What grades does Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 serve?

Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02?

Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 159 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 is ranked #102 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 has 65.3% math proficiency and 68.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 a charter school?

No, Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

No, Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02?

39.6% of students at Bridgewater-emery 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
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (366/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
159
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
McCook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bridgewater-Emery 30-3
District Enrollment
342
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,961
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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