Excellent
#53 of 574 schools in SD
Top 9% in state
Buffalo Elementary - 02
Elementary School · Harding County School District 31-1
PO Box 367, Buffalo, SD 57720
Enrollment
101
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
101
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Dakota schools
#53 of 574
In Buffalo
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Harding County School District 31-1
School environment
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Buffalo Elementary - 02
Elementary School in Buffalo · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Harding County High School - 01
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Harding County Middle School - 03
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Buffalo Elementary - 02
Buffalo Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in Buffalo, SD, part of Harding County School District 31-1. Buffalo Elementary - 02 serves approximately 101 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Buffalo Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #53 of 574 schools in SD.
Structured state assessment records for Buffalo Elementary - 02 show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.4 · Excellent
- SD avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 101 students, Buffalo 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.
Buffalo 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Buffalo Elementary - 02 — Students at Buffalo Elementary - 02 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 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: 8.2/10.
How Buffalo Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Buffalo Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 367, Buffalo, SD 57720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buffalo Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Harding County Middle School - 03 (rated 7.1/10), a more accessible option. Additionally, Harding County High School - 01 (rated 6.2/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
2 within 0.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harding County High School - 01 Buffalo | 0.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Harding County Middle School - 03 Buffalo | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,333
Median Home Value
$128,800
Median Rent
$579/mo
Population
561
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
80.7%
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
53
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Waubay Elementary - 02 Waubay, SD | 8.4 |
| Gettysburg Elementary - 02 Gettysburg, SD | 8.5 |
| Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose, SD | 8.5 |
| Mount Vernon Elementary - 02 Mount Vernon, SD | 8.3 |
| Doland Elementary - 03 Doland, SD | 8.6 |
| Eureka Elementary - 02 Eureka, SD | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buffalo Elementary - 02
What grades does Buffalo Elementary - 02 serve?
Buffalo Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Buffalo Elementary - 02?
Buffalo Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 101 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Elementary - 02 is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buffalo Elementary - 02 rank in SD?
Buffalo Elementary - 02 ranks #53 of 574 schools in SD.
What is Buffalo Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Buffalo Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Buffalo Elementary - 02?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Buffalo Elementary - 02 has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Buffalo Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, Buffalo Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buffalo Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, Buffalo Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buffalo Elementary - 02?
30.7% of students at Buffalo 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 101
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Harding County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 8.9%
- Phone
- (605) 375-3241
Resources & Links
District
Harding County School District 31-1- District Enrollment
- 221
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,112
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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