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Average

#335 of 574 schools in SD

Chester Elementary -02

Elementary School · Chester Area School District 39-1

102 2nd Ave, Chester, SD 57016

Enrollment

148

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chester

#3 of 6

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#159 of 271

In district

#3 of 6

Chester Area School District 39-1

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Chester Elementary -02

Chester Elementary -02 is a charming elementary school nestled in the heart of Chester, South Dakota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, this rural school prides itself on fostering a close-knit community where every child feels valued and supported. With an enrollment of 148 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, Chester Elementary ensures that each child receives personalized attention to help them thrive academically and socially.

The dedicated staff at Chester Elementary includes ten full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to providing a strong educational foundation for their students. While the school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.4 out of 10, placing it in the 52nd percentile among South Dakota schools, there is room for academic growth and improvement. On average, 60% of students meet or exceed proficiency levels in ELA/Reading, while 54% do so in Math.

Chester Elementary -02 stands out as a community-focused school in its rural setting, where the bond between teachers, students, and families is strong and supportive.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 148 students, Chester 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, Chester 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 Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,721

Chester Elementary -02 — Students at Chester Elementary -02 score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.3%
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
57%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
57%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Chester Elementary -02 Compares

See how Chester Elementary -02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
42th percentile in SD
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

102 2nd Ave, Chester, SD 57016

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chester Elementary -02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Colman Elementary - 03 (rated 8.0/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Colman), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST THOMAS SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Madison), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tri-Valley Elementary in Colton - 02 (rated 6.2/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Colton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chester, see our Chester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Chester High School - 01 Chester 0.0 mi 6.5
Chester Middle School - 03 Chester 0.0 mi 6.8
Chester Area Cyber School - 92 Chester 0.0 mi 5.9
High Plains - 06 Chester 0.0 mi 4.9
Colman-Egan High School - 01 Colman 8.2 mi 8.1
Colman-Egan Jr. High - 02 Colman 8.2 mi 6.1
Colman Elementary - 03 Colman 8.2 mi 8.0
Tri-Valley High School - 01 Colton 11.6 mi 7.7
Tri-Valley Intermediate School - 03 Colton 11.6 mi 3.6
Tri-Valley Elementary in Colton - 02 Colton 11.6 mi 6.2
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Chester 8.6 mi 3.1
Madison Middle School - 02 Madison 11.8 mi 5.5
Madison High School - 01 Madison 11.8 mi 3.4
ST THOMAS SCHOOL Madison 11.9 mi 6.3
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02 Dell Rapids 11.4 mi 6.2
Madison Elementary - 07 Madison 12.5 mi 5.3
MADISON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison 12.1 mi
ST MARY GRADE SCHOOL Dell Rapids 12.2 mi 4.3
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dell Rapids 12.2 mi 4.1
Dell Rapids High School - 01 Dell Rapids 12.2 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,125

Median Home Value

$225,600

Median Rent

$1,107/mo

Population

680

College Educated

31.4%

Homeownership

90.5%

Poverty Rate

1.2%

Median Age

51.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chester Elementary -02 has a median household income of $92,125. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $225,600, with a median rent of $1,107/month. The local poverty rate of 1.2% 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
Andes Central Elementary - 02 Lake Andes, SD 5.9
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City, SD 5.9
Elkton Elementary - 02 Elkton, SD 5.9
OUR LADY OF LOURDES ELEMENTARY Porcupine, SD 5.9
Marion Elementary - 02 Marion, SD 6.1
Menno Elementary - 02 Menno, SD 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chester Elementary -02

What grades does Chester Elementary -02 serve?

Chester Elementary -02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Chester Elementary -02?

Chester Elementary -02 has an enrollment of approximately 148 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chester Elementary -02?

The student-teacher ratio at Chester Elementary -02 is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chester Elementary -02 rank in SD?

Chester Elementary -02 is ranked #335 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Chester Elementary -02's MySchoolScout rating?

Chester Elementary -02 has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Chester Elementary -02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chester Elementary -02 has 53.7% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chester Elementary -02 a charter school?

No, Chester Elementary -02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Chester Elementary -02 a Title I school?

No, Chester Elementary -02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chester Elementary -02?

16.9% of students at Chester 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
Low (145/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
148
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chester Area School District 39-1
District Enrollment
542
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,311
District Rank
#3 of 6

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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