Average
#403 of 574 schools in SD
Castlewood Elementary - 02
Elementary School · Castlewood School District 28-1
310 E Harry St, Castlewood, SD 57223
Enrollment
144
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
144
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Castlewood
#2 of 3
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#196 of 271
In district
#2 of 3
Castlewood School District 28-1
Academic performance
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Castlewood Elementary - 02
Castlewood Elementary - 02 is a charming rural school nestled in Castlewood, South Dakota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the campus offers a close-knit community with a current enrollment of 144 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 and ten full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
Academically, Castlewood Elementary - 02 has room for growth but is making strides in both English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. Approximately 54% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 65% meet the same standard in math. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 reflects its position at the 50th percentile among South Dakota schools.
Castlewood Elementary - 02 is situated in a remote rural setting where the community bonds closely with the school, fostering a supportive environment for students to thrive and develop socially and academically.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 144 students, Castlewood 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, Castlewood 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
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Castlewood Elementary - 02 — Students at Castlewood Elementary - 02 score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.1%
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: 4.1/10.
How Castlewood Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Castlewood Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
310 E Harry St, Castlewood, SD 57223
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Castlewood Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lincoln Elementary - 05 (rated 7.8/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Watertown), which scores notably higher. Another option is McKinley Elementary - 06 (rated 7.6/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Watertown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mellette Elementary - 07 (rated 7.5/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Watertown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Castlewood, see our Castlewood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57223 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,571
Median Home Value
$229,500
Median Rent
$1,096/mo
Population
1,367
College Educated
25.1%
Homeownership
88.3%
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Castlewood Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $88,571. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $229,500, with a median rent of $1,096/month. The local poverty rate of 2.2% 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 |
|---|---|
| ST MARTINS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown, SD | 5.4 |
| HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Huron, SD | 5.5 |
| 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 |
| Hermosa Elementary - 04 Hermosa, SD | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Castlewood Elementary - 02
What grades does Castlewood Elementary - 02 serve?
Castlewood Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Castlewood Elementary - 02?
Castlewood Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 144 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Castlewood Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Castlewood Elementary - 02 is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Castlewood Elementary - 02 rank in SD?
Castlewood Elementary - 02 is ranked #403 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Castlewood Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Castlewood Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Castlewood Elementary - 02?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Castlewood Elementary - 02 has 65.3% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Castlewood Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, Castlewood Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Castlewood Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, Castlewood Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Castlewood Elementary - 02?
20.1% of students at Castlewood 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
- County Safety
- Average (557/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 144
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 20.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hamlin County
- Phone
- (605) 793-2497
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Castlewood School District 28-1- District Enrollment
- 338
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,964
- District Rank
- #2 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.
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