Excellent

#29 of 574 schools in SD

Top 5% in state

Chester High School - 01

High School · Chester Area School District 39-1

PO Box 159, Chester, SD 57016

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

103

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

8.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Enrollment

103

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

8.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#29 of 574

In Chester

#1 of 6

public schools

In district

#1 of 6

Chester Area School District 39-1

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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High School in Chester · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Chester High School - 01

Chester High School - 01 is a public high school in Chester, SD, part of Chester Area School District 39-1. Chester High School - 01 serves approximately 103 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Chester High School - 01 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #29 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Chester High School - 01 show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.0 pts above district

8.7

This school 8.7 · Excellent
District avg 5.7
SD avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

At 103 students, Chester High School - 01 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Chester High School - 01 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics

Student Progress9.9Excellent25%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change+1.01 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendImproving

Academics8.9Excellent25%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency54.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency65% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+12.0 pts

Adjusted Percentile82th

College Readiness8.5Excellent30%

Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.

View breakdown

4-Year Graduation Rate80%+

IB ProgramNo

Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1

Per-Pupil Spending$10,311

Chronic Absenteeism15.5%

Chester High School - 01 — Students at Chester High School - 01 score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 70.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009

Math

64.5%

ELA

54.5%

2010

Math

69.5%

ELA

30%

2011

Math

69.5%

ELA

69.5%

2012

Math

69.5%

ELA

69.5%

2014

Math

49.5%

ELA

69.5%

2015

Math

24.5%

ELA

64.5%

2016

Math

69.5%

ELA

49.5%

2017

Math

49.5%

ELA

69.5%

2018

Math

69.5%

ELA

90%

2019

Math

69.5%

ELA

90%

2020*

Math

49.5%

ELA

90%

2021*

Math

49.5%

ELA

90%

2022

Math

54.5%

ELA

74.5%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Chester High School - 01 Compares

See how Chester High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

8.7/10

95th percentile in SD

Academic

8.9/10

Excellent

Growth

9.9/10

Excellent

Environment

7.3/10

Very Good

Sports

0 boys' · 2 girls'

Advanced STEM

5/5

Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

14%

Teaching Staff

11:1 student-teacher ratio

9 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

15.5%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics2sports offered

0 boys'·2 girls'·1 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22

Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered

Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO Box 159, Chester, SD 57016

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chester High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Tri-Valley High School - 01 (rated 8.6/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Colton), with a very similar rating. Another option is Colman-Egan High School - 01 (rated 7.8/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Colman), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Dell Rapids High School - 01 (rated 6.7/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Dell Rapids), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chester, see our Chester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.2 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Chester Elementary -02 Chester	0.0 mi	148	6.1
Chester Middle School - 03 Chester	0.0 mi	69	7.0
Chester Area Cyber School - 92 Chester	0.0 mi	101	4.3
High Plains - 06 Chester	0.0 mi	61	4.1
Colman-Egan High School - 01 Colman	8.2 mi	90	7.8
Colman-Egan Jr. High - 02 Colman	8.2 mi	43	6.3
Colman Elementary - 03 Colman	8.2 mi	168	5.8
Tri-Valley High School - 01 Colton	11.6 mi	275	8.6
Tri-Valley Intermediate School - 03 Colton	11.6 mi	303	6.3
Tri-Valley Elementary in Colton - 02 Colton	11.6 mi	154	5.2
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Chester	8.6 mi	39	5.7
Madison Middle School - 02 Madison	11.8 mi	274	5.2
Madison High School - 01 Madison	11.8 mi	397	5.2
ST THOMAS SCHOOL Madison	11.9 mi	35	6.3
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02 Dell Rapids	11.4 mi	379	9.1
Madison Elementary - 07 Madison	12.5 mi	507	6.1
MADISON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison	12.1 mi	5	—
ST MARY GRADE SCHOOL Dell Rapids	12.2 mi	233	4.3
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dell Rapids	12.2 mi	233	4.1
Dell Rapids High School - 01 Dell Rapids	12.2 mi	314	6.7

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
Castlewood High School - 01 Castlewood, SD	106	8.6
Kadoka Area High School - 01 Kadoka, SD	70	8.6
Florence High School - 01 Florence, SD	95	8.8
Philip High School - 01 Philip, SD	100	8.8
Faulkton High School - 01 Faulkton, SD	76	8.4
Irene - Wakonda High School - 01 Irene, SD	78	8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chester High School - 01

What grades does Chester High School - 01 serve?

Chester High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Chester High School - 01?

Chester High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 103 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chester High School - 01?

The student-teacher ratio at Chester High School - 01 is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chester High School - 01 rank in SD?

Chester High School - 01 ranks #29 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Chester High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?

Chester High School - 01 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Chester High School - 01?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Chester High School - 01 has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Chester High School - 01 a charter school?

No, Chester High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Chester High School - 01 a Title I school?

No, Chester High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chester High School - 01?

13.6% of students at Chester High School - 01 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.