Very Good

#201 of 574 schools in SD

Top 35% in state

Chester Middle School - 03

Middle School · Chester Area School District 39-1

PO Box 159, Chester, SD 57016

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#201 of 574

In Chester

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#2 of 6

Chester Area School District 39-1

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Middle School in Chester · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Chester Middle School - 03

Chester Middle School - 03 is a public middle school in Chester, SD, part of Chester Area School District 39-1. Chester Middle School - 03 serves approximately 69 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Chester Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #201 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Chester Middle School - 03 show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.0 pts above SD schools

7.0

This school 7.0 · Very Good
SD avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 69 students, Chester Middle School - 03 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 Middle School - 03 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 · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress7.4Very Good40%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-1.96 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics7.0Very Good35%

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

View breakdown

Math Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+0.2 pts

Adjusted Percentile56th

Resources & Environment6.3Average25%

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

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1

Per-Pupil Spending$10,311

Chronic Absenteeism13%

Chester Middle School - 03 — Students at Chester Middle School - 03 score 52% 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

15.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 60.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 67.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009

Math

72%

ELA

82%

2010

Math

77%

ELA

67%

2011

Math

77%

ELA

72%

2012

Math

82%

ELA

72%

2014

Math

57%

ELA

72%

2015

Math

57%

ELA

67%

2016

Math

52%

ELA

67%

2017

Math

72%

ELA

72%

2018

Math

47%

ELA

57%

2019

Math

47%

ELA

57%

2020*

Math

52%

ELA

67%

2021*

Math

52%

ELA

67%

2022

Math

47%

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: 7.4/10.

How Chester Middle School - 03 Compares

See how Chester Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

7.0/10

65th percentile in SD

Academic

7.0/10

Very Good

Growth

7.4/10

Very Good

Environment

6.3/10

Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

16%

Teaching Staff

14:1 student-teacher ratio

5 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

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

13.0%

Location

PO Box 159, Chester, SD 57016

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chester Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Colman-Egan Jr. High - 02 (rated 6.3/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Colman), with a comparable rating. Another option is Tri-Valley Intermediate School - 03 (rated 6.3/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Colton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Madison Middle School - 02 (rated 5.2/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Madison), 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 High School - 01 Chester	0.0 mi	103	8.7
Chester Elementary -02 Chester	0.0 mi	148	6.1
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
Corsica-Stickney Jr. High - 03 Corsica, SD	64	7.0
Freeman Jr High - 05 Freeman, SD	61	7.0
Avon Middle School - 05 Avon, SD	73	7.1
Harding County Middle School - 03 Buffalo, SD	58	7.1
Mount Vernon Middle School - 03 Mount Vernon, SD	61	7.1
Kimball Middle School - 04 Kimball, SD	96	6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chester Middle School - 03

What grades does Chester Middle School - 03 serve?

Chester Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Chester Middle School - 03?

Chester Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 69 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chester Middle School - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Chester Middle School - 03 is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chester Middle School - 03 rank in SD?

Chester Middle School - 03 ranks #201 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Chester Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Chester Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Middle School - 03?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Chester Middle School - 03 has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Chester Middle School - 03 a charter school?

No, Chester Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Chester Middle School - 03 a Title I school?

No, Chester Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chester Middle School - 03?

15.9% of students at Chester Middle School - 03 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.