Below Average
#516 of 574 schools in SD
Castlewood Middle School - 03
Middle School · Castlewood School District 28-1
310 E Harry St, Castlewood, SD 57223
Enrollment
73
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
73
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Castlewood
#3 of 3
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#129 of 144
In district
#3 of 3
Castlewood School District 28-1
About Castlewood Middle School - 03
Castlewood Middle School - 03 is a small middle school located in the rural community of Castlewood, South Dakota. With an enrollment of just 73 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1, the school provides a close-knit environment where teachers can offer individual attention to each student. The school has four full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping students from sixth through eighth grade.
Academically, Castlewood Middle School ranks in the 22nd percentile among South Dakota schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 5.7 out of 10. In reading and ELA, about half of the students are proficient or above, while in math, nearly 50% meet proficiency standards as well. While these scores indicate room for growth, they also reflect a school that is focusing on student development within its unique rural setting.
The surrounding area offers a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other, fostering strong connections between students, teachers, and families. Castlewood Middle School - 03 sits at the heart of this small town in Hamlin County, providing a supportive educational environment for young adolescents.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 73 students, Castlewood Middle School - 03 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 Middle School - 03 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
Castlewood Middle School - 03 — Students at Castlewood Middle School - 03 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.3%
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: 3.9/10.
How Castlewood Middle School - 03 Compares
See how Castlewood Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
310 E Harry St, Castlewood, SD 57223
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Castlewood Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Watertown Middle School - 02 (rated 6.1/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Watertown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Watertown Intermediate School - 13 (rated 5.8/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Watertown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Estelline Middle School - 03 (rated 4.9/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Estelline), which scores slightly 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 Middle School - 03 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 |
|---|---|
| Menno Middle School - 05 Menno, SD | 4.4 |
| Scotland Middle School - 05 Scotland, SD | 4.1 |
| Corsica-Stickney Jr. High - 03 Corsica, SD | 4.8 |
| Garretson Middle School - 03 Garretson, SD | 4.8 |
| Philip Jr. High - 03 Philip, SD | 4.8 |
| Dupree Jr. High - 04 Dupree, SD | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Castlewood Middle School - 03
What grades does Castlewood Middle School - 03 serve?
Castlewood Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Castlewood Middle School - 03?
Castlewood Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 73 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Castlewood Middle School - 03?
The student-teacher ratio at Castlewood Middle School - 03 is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Castlewood Middle School - 03 rank in SD?
Castlewood Middle School - 03 is ranked #516 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Castlewood Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?
Castlewood Middle School - 03 has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Middle School - 03?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Castlewood Middle School - 03 has 48.7% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Castlewood Middle School - 03 a charter school?
No, Castlewood Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Castlewood Middle School - 03 a Title I school?
No, Castlewood Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Castlewood Middle School - 03?
23.3% of students at Castlewood Middle School - 03 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 73
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.3%
- 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
- #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.
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