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Average

#255 of 574 schools in SD

Top 44% in state

Chester High School - 01

High School · Chester Area School District 39-1

PO Box 159, Chester, SD 57016

Enrollment

103

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chester

#2 of 6

public schools

South Dakota high schools

#72 of 156

In district

#2 of 6

Chester Area School District 39-1

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Chester High School - 01

Chester High School serves 103 students in grades 9-12 in the small rural community of Chester, South Dakota. This well-regarded public high school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1 and nine full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Chester High School demonstrates strong performance, earning an 8.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 36th out of 586 South Dakota high schools, placing it in the 94th percentile statewide.

The school shows particularly solid results in English Language Arts, with 74% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance shows 54% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating steady academic achievement in this core subject area. The school serves a stable rural community in Lake County where the median household income reaches $89,602 and the poverty rate remains low at just 2.4%.

With median home values at $191,300 and 28% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the area reflects a committed community that values education and provides a supportive environment for student learning. Chester High School operates in South Dakota's peaceful rural landscape, offering students a close-knit educational experience within a economically stable farming community of just over 700 residents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 103 students, Chester High School - 01 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 High School - 01 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5%
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+11.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,721

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 57.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 84.8%
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
69.5%
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: 3.0/10.

How Chester High School - 01 Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
56th percentile in SD
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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. Colman-Egan High School - 01 (rated 8.1/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Colman), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tri-Valley High School - 01 (rated 7.7/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Colton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dell Rapids High School - 01 (rated 6.1/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Dell Rapids), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chester, see our Chester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Chester Elementary -02 Chester 0.0 mi 5.9
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 High School - 01 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
Avon High School - 01 Avon, SD 6.5
Florence High School - 01 Florence, SD 6.5
Platte - Geddes High School - 01 Platte, SD 6.5
Centerville High School - 01 Centerville, SD 6.6
Elkton High School - 01 Elkton, SD 6.4
Viborg-Hurley High School - 01 Viborg, SD 6.4

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 is ranked #255 out of 574 schools in SD.

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

Chester High School - 01 has a composite rating of 6.5 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 High School - 01?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chester High School - 01 has 57.8% math proficiency and 84.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
103
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.6%
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
#2 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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