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
Enrollment
101
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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 6 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: 3.0/10.
How Buffalo Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Buffalo Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (605) 375-3241
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harding County School District 31-1- District Enrollment
- 221
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,112
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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