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
Enrollment
103
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Chester High School - 01 — Students at Chester High School - 01 score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.0/10.
How Chester High School - 01 Compares
See how Chester High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 90% (2019) to 74.5% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (605) 489-2411
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.