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Average

#374 of 574 schools in SD

Canistota Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Canistota School District 43-1

PO Box 8, Canistota, SD 57012

Enrollment

158

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Canistota

#2 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#179 of 271

In district

#2 of 3

Canistota School District 43-1

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Canistota Elementary - 02

Canistota Elementary - 02 serves 158 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in this close-knit rural South Dakota community. With 12 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. The school demonstrates impressive academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking 48th out of 586 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile.

Students excel particularly in mathematics, with 74% achieving proficiency or above, while 64% meet or exceed proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. This academic excellence has earned the school a remarkable 9.1 out of 10 academic score. The surrounding community reflects stability and educational values, with a median household income of $69,762 and 32% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 6.4%, contributing to a supportive environment for learning. Home values average $150,600, indicating an established residential community. Canistota Elementary - 02 operates in McCook County's rural setting, where the intimate community atmosphere of just over 1,100 residents creates an environment where every student can be known and supported in their educational journey.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 158 students, Canistota 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, Canistota 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 Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-7.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+22.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
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$13,210

Canistota Elementary - 02 — Students at Canistota Elementary - 02 score 70% 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

31%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 81.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.2%
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
95%
ELA
84.5%
2021*
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Canistota Elementary - 02 Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in SD
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

PO Box 8, Canistota, SD 57012

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Canistota Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Montrose Elementary - 02 (rated 9.1/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Montrose), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 (rated 7.8/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Bridgewater), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 (rated 7.4/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Hartford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Canistota, see our Canistota schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Canistota High School - 01 Canistota 0.0 mi 8.1
Canistota Middle School - 03 Canistota 0.0 mi 5.1
Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose 8.8 mi 9.1
Montrose High School - 01 Montrose 8.8 mi 6.3
Montrose Middle School - 03 Montrose 8.8 mi 5.3
McCook Central Elementary - 02 Salem 10.1 mi 4.4
McCook Central High School - 01 Salem 10.1 mi 4.3
McCook Central Middle School - 03 Salem 10.1 mi 4.8
ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem 10.1 mi 6.6
Goldenview Colony School - 04 Salem 9.8 mi
Marion Elementary - 02 Marion 12.3 mi 6.1
Marion High School - 01 Marion 12.3 mi 8.2
Marion Middle School - 03 Marion 12.3 mi 8.3
Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 Bridgewater 10.8 mi 7.8
West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 Hartford 11.5 mi 7.4
Orland Colony Elementary - 04 Montrose 16.1 mi 6.1
Parker Elementary - 02 Parker 15.9 mi 4.9
Parker High School - 01 Parker 15.9 mi 4.6
Parker Jr. High - 03 Parker 15.9 mi 6.9
Freeman High School - 01 Freeman 18.7 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,196

Median Home Value

$163,800

Median Rent

$960/mo

Population

1,164

College Educated

30.6%

Homeownership

85.3%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

37.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Canistota Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $84,196. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,800, with a median rent of $960/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City, SD 5.6
Highmore Elementary - 02 Highmore, SD 5.5
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 De Smet, SD 5.5
White River Elementary - 02 White River, SD 5.5
Buffalo Elementary - 02 Buffalo, SD 5.7
Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 Wolsey, SD 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Canistota Elementary - 02

What grades does Canistota Elementary - 02 serve?

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

How many students attend Canistota Elementary - 02?

Canistota Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 158 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Canistota Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Canistota 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 Canistota Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Canistota Elementary - 02 is ranked #374 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Canistota Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Canistota Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Canistota Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Canistota Elementary - 02 has 81.3% math proficiency and 71.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Canistota Elementary - 02 a charter school?

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

Is Canistota Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

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

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

31.0% of students at Canistota 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

County Safety
Average (366/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
158
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
McCook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Canistota School District 43-1
District Enrollment
312
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,724
District Rank
#2 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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