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Average

#364 of 574 schools in SD

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

5.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buffalo

#3 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#172 of 271

In district

#3 of 3

Harding County School District 31-1

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Buffalo Elementary - 02

Buffalo Elementary - 02 serves 101 students in grades kindergarten through fifth in Buffalo, South Dakota. This small public elementary school maintains an excellent 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio with 9 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention in each classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks 128th out of 586 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile.

Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 54% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics. This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a close-knit learning environment. Buffalo Elementary serves a stable rural community where the median household income is $72,031 and home values average $133,300.

The area maintains a low poverty rate of 7.6%, and about 26% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. These community characteristics contribute to a supportive educational environment. Located in Harding County, Buffalo Elementary - 02 sits in South Dakota's remote rural landscape, offering students a unique small-town educational experience where teachers can focus on individual student growth and development within a tight-knit community setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 101 students, Buffalo 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, Buffalo 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 Progress3.0Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,270

Buffalo Elementary - 02 — Students at Buffalo Elementary - 02 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.8%
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
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
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: 3.0/10.

How Buffalo Elementary - 02 Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
37th percentile in SD
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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 High School - 01 (rated 8.4/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harding County Middle School - 03 (rated 7.9/10), which scores notably higher. 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 8.4
Harding County Middle School - 03 Buffalo 0.0 mi 7.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Buffalo Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $78,333. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,800, with a median rent of $579/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% 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
LITTLE EAGLE GRANT SCHOOL Little Eagle, SD 5.7
Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 Wolsey, SD 5.7
VOLGA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Volga, SD 5.6
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City, SD 5.6
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Huron, SD 5.5
Highmore Elementary - 02 Highmore, SD 5.5

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 is ranked #364 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Buffalo Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Buffalo Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Buffalo Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buffalo Elementary - 02 has 61.2% math proficiency and 57.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

3 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harding County School District 31-1
District Enrollment
221
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,112
District Rank
#3 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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