Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,930

Castlewood Elementary - 02 — Students at Castlewood Elementary - 02 score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 65.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.7%
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
67%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
52%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.4/10
30th percentile in SD
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Castlewood High School - 01 Castlewood 0.0 mi 7.8
Castlewood Middle School - 03 Castlewood 0.0 mi 4.4
Claremont Colony Elementary - 04 Castlewood 3.9 mi
POINSETT COLONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Estelline 8.5 mi
Roosevelt Elementary - 08 Watertown 12.4 mi 4.4
Watertown High School - 01 Watertown 12.7 mi 4.2
IMACULATE CONCEPTION Watertown 12.6 mi 7.1
Watertown Intermediate School - 13 Watertown 13.1 mi 5.8
Lincoln Elementary - 05 Watertown 13.3 mi 7.8
Estelline Elementary - 02 Estelline 12.1 mi 5.1
Estelline High School - 01 Estelline 12.2 mi 4.8
Estelline Middle School - 03 Estelline 12.2 mi 4.9
Mellette Elementary - 07 Watertown 13.4 mi 7.5
GREAT PLAINS LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Watertown 13.7 mi 7.2
McKinley Elementary - 06 Watertown 13.3 mi 7.6
ST MARTINS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown 13.7 mi 5.4
Watertown Middle School - 02 Watertown 14.0 mi 6.1
WATERTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watertown 13.8 mi 6.2
Jefferson Elementary - 09 Watertown 14.2 mi 5.5
Hamlin Middle School - 02 Hayti 13.8 mi 4.7

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Castlewood School District 28-1
District Enrollment
338
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,964
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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.