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
Enrollment
48
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
6.2%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 44.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 44.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (605) 269-2264
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Meade School District 46-1- District Enrollment
- 3,034
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,853
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
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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