Very Good
#196 of 574 schools in SD
Top 34% in state
Buchanan Elementary - 03
Elementary School · Pierre School District 32-2
100 N Buchanan Ave, Pierre, SD 57501
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pierre
#3 of 6
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#101 of 271
In district
#2 of 5
Pierre School District 32-2
Academic performance
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Buchanan Elementary - 03
Buchanan Elementary - 03 is a charming elementary school nestled in the remote town of Pierre, South Dakota. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, Buchanan Elementary has an enrollment of 422 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 6.9 out of 10, placing it in the 80th percentile among South Dakota schools.
Academically, Buchanan Elementary focuses on fostering a strong foundation for its young learners. With an academic score of 7.6/10, students demonstrate proficiency rates of 58% in ELA and reading and 57% in math. While these scores show room for improvement, the school is dedicated to student development and continuous growth.
Buchanan Elementary - 03 sits at 100 N Buchanan Ave, providing a supportive educational environment to its students in this small town setting.
Score Breakdown
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Buchanan Elementary - 03 — Students at Buchanan Elementary - 03 score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Buchanan Elementary - 03 Compares
See how Buchanan Elementary - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 56% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 59% (2022).
Location
100 N Buchanan Ave, Pierre, SD 57501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buchanan Elementary - 03 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Onida Elementary - 04 (rated 9.7/10, 26.6 miles away, in nearby Onida), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stanley County Elementary - 08 (rated 9.2/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Fort Pierre), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pierre Indian Learning Center (rated 8.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pierre, see our Pierre schools guide .
Nearby Schools
18 within 39.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pierre Indian Learning Center Pierre | 0.9 mi | 8.0 |
| T F Riggs High School - 01 Pierre | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Kennedy Elementary - 08 Pierre | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Georgia Morse Middle School - 02 Pierre | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Jefferson Elementary - 06 Pierre | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Stanley County High School - 01 Fort Pierre | 2.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Stanley County Middle School - 02 Fort Pierre | 2.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Stanley County Elementary - 08 Fort Pierre | 2.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Blunt Elementary - 03 Blunt | 19.4 mi | — |
| Onida Elementary - 04 Onida | 26.6 mi | 9.7 |
| Sully Buttes High School - 07 Onida | 26.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Sully Buttes Middle School - 06 Onida | 26.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Lyman High School - 01 Presho | 33.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Lyman Middle School - 02 Presho | 33.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Jones County High School - 01 Murdo | 38.1 mi | 8.9 |
| Jones County Middle School - 04 Murdo | 38.1 mi | 8.9 |
| Jones County Elementary - 02 Murdo | 38.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Lyman Elementary - 04 Kennebec | 39.4 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,224
Median Home Value
$222,600
Median Rent
$933/mo
Population
17,456
College Educated
35.5%
Homeownership
75.5%
Avg Commute
13.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
39.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buchanan Elementary - 03 has a median household income of $79,224. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,600, with a median rent of $933/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dakota Prairie Elementary - 07 Brookings, SD | 7.0 |
| Kennedy Elementary - 08 Pierre, SD | 7.0 |
| Mike Miller Elementary - 07 Aberdeen, SD | 7.0 |
| O M Tiffany Elementary - 11 Aberdeen, SD | 7.0 |
| Wagner Elementary - 02 Wagner, SD | 7.0 |
| Tea Area Venture Elementary - 06 Tea, SD | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buchanan Elementary - 03
What grades does Buchanan Elementary - 03 serve?
Buchanan Elementary - 03 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Buchanan Elementary - 03?
Buchanan Elementary - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 422 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buchanan Elementary - 03?
The student-teacher ratio at Buchanan Elementary - 03 is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buchanan Elementary - 03 rank in SD?
Buchanan Elementary - 03 is ranked #196 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Buchanan Elementary - 03's MySchoolScout rating?
Buchanan Elementary - 03 has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Buchanan Elementary - 03?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buchanan Elementary - 03 has 56.7% math proficiency and 57.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buchanan Elementary - 03 a charter school?
No, Buchanan Elementary - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buchanan Elementary - 03 a Title I school?
No, Buchanan Elementary - 03 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buchanan Elementary - 03?
26.3% of students at Buchanan Elementary - 03 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
- City Safety
- High (2,496/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pierre). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 422
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Hughes County
- Phone
- (605) 773-7310
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pierre School District 32-2- District Enrollment
- 2,688
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,579
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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