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Very Good

#150 of 574 schools in SD

Top 26% in state

Central Meade County School - 09

Elementary School · Meade School District 46-1

PO Box 16, Whitewood, SD 57793

Enrollment

48

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Whitewood

#2 of 2

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#81 of 271

In district

#3 of 7

Meade School District 46-1

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Central Meade County School - 09

Central Meade County School - 09 is a small elementary school in Whitewood, South Dakota, nestled in a remote rural area. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade with an enrollment of just 48 students, the school maintains a close-knit community and offers individualized attention thanks to its low student-teacher ratio of 12:1. With four full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Central Meade County School - 09 focuses on providing personalized education tailored to each child's needs.

Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks 61st percentile among South Dakota schools with an academic score of 5.7/10. In both ELA/reading and math, around half of the students are proficient or above, indicating areas for growth but also a strong foundation for continuous improvement. Central Meade County School - 09 is situated in a rural setting where community involvement plays a significant role in supporting student development and school activities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 48 students, Central Meade County School - 09 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, Central Meade County School - 09 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 Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.0Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected-5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,479

Central Meade County School - 09 — Students at Central Meade County School - 09 score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

6.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Central Meade County School - 09 Compares

See how Central Meade County School - 09 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
74th percentile in SD
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
6%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

PO Box 16, Whitewood, SD 57793

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Meade County School - 09 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Patriot Elementary -06 (rated 7.1/10, 35.2 miles away, in nearby Box Elder), with a comparable rating. Another option is Vandenberg Elementary - 02 (rated 5.7/10, 35.4 miles away, in nearby Box Elder), a more accessible option. Additionally, Rapid Valley Elementary - 12 (rated 5.6/10, 41.9 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Whitewood, see our Whitewood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

16 within 41.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Atall Elementary - 17 Whitewood 8.4 mi
Hereford Elementary - 08 Whitewood 14.7 mi
Elm Springs Elementary - 13 Whitewood 18.3 mi
Opal Elementary - 15 Whitewood 25.4 mi
Maurine Elementary - 04 Faith 32.2 mi
New Underwood Middle School - 04 New Underwood 33.1 mi 2.5
New Underwood Elementary - 02 New Underwood 33.1 mi 4.9
New Underwood High School - 01 New Underwood 33.1 mi 7.2
Douglas Middle School - 01 Box Elder 35.0 mi 5.1
Patriot Elementary -06 Box Elder 35.2 mi 7.1
Douglas High School - 03 Box Elder 35.3 mi 4.2
Vandenberg Elementary - 02 Box Elder 35.4 mi 5.7
East Middle School - 30 Rapid City 40.7 mi 5.2
Valley View Elementary - 13 Rapid City 40.7 mi 3.9
Rapid Valley Elementary - 12 Rapid City 41.9 mi 5.6
RAPID CITY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rapid City 41.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57793 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,441

Median Home Value

$293,400

Median Rent

$925/mo

Population

2,042

College Educated

23.9%

Homeownership

86.4%

Poverty Rate

9.7%

Median Age

51.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Meade County School - 09 has a median household income of $84,441. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,400, with a median rent of $925/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% 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
Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 Parkston, SD 7.3
Rock Creek Grant School Bullhead, SD 7.3
Upland Colony Elementary - 05 Forestburg, SD 7.6
Bowdle Elementary - 02 Bowdle, SD 7.2
Spring Creek Colony Elementary - 04 Leola, SD 7.8
Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14 Platte, SD 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Meade County School - 09

What grades does Central Meade County School - 09 serve?

Central Meade County School - 09 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Central Meade County School - 09?

Central Meade County School - 09 has an enrollment of approximately 48 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Meade County School - 09?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Meade County School - 09 is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Meade County School - 09 rank in SD?

Central Meade County School - 09 is ranked #150 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Central Meade County School - 09's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Meade County School - 09 has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Central Meade County School - 09?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Meade County School - 09 has 47.8% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Meade County School - 09 a charter school?

No, Central Meade County School - 09 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Meade County School - 09 a Title I school?

No, Central Meade County School - 09 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Meade County School - 09?

6.2% of students at Central Meade County School - 09 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

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (416/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Whitewood). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
48
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
6.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Meade County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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