Very Good
#100 of 574 schools in SD
Top 17% in state
Custer Elementary - 02
Elementary School · Custer School District 16-1
1415 Wildcat Ln, Custer, SD 57730
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Custer
#1 of 3
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#56 of 271
In district
#1 of 4
Custer School District 16-1
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Custer Elementary - 02
Custer Elementary - 02 is a regular public elementary school nestled in the heart of Custer, South Dakota. Serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade, the school currently has an enrollment of 293 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Custer Elementary provides a supportive learning environment that focuses on individual attention.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.4 out of 10, placing it in the top 70th percentile among South Dakota schools. Academically, students at Custer Elementary perform well, with 52% reaching proficiency or above in ELA and reading and 44% achieving similar marks in math. While these scores indicate areas for growth, they also highlight the school’s commitment to student development.
Custer Elementary is situated in a rural area, offering a close-knit community feel where students can thrive both academically and socially. The setting provides an ideal backdrop for educational exploration and personal growth within a supportive neighborhood environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Custer 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
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Custer Elementary - 02 — Students at Custer Elementary - 02 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Custer Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Custer Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
1415 Wildcat Ln, Custer, SD 57730
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Custer Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S HOME (rated 8.2/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Hot Springs Elementary - 02 (rated 5.9/10, 23.5 miles away, in nearby Hot Springs), a more accessible option. Additionally, CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 25.2 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Custer, see our Custer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Custer High School - 01 Custer | 0.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Custer Jr. High - 05 Custer | 0.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Hill City High School - 01 Hill City | 11.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Hill City Middle School - 04 Hill City | 11.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Hill City Elementary - 02 Hill City | 11.5 mi | 4.2 |
| BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S HOME Rapid City | 14.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Hot Springs Elementary - 02 Hot Springs | 23.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Hot Springs Middle School - 06 Hot Springs | 23.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Hot Springs High School - 01 Hot Springs | 23.7 mi | 6.4 |
| BETHESDA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hot Springs | 23.9 mi | — |
| Hermosa Elementary - 04 Hermosa | 20.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Corral Drive Elementary - 21 Rapid City | 24.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Southwest Middle School - 38 Rapid City | 24.3 mi | 6.2 |
| RAPID CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City | 22.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Stevens High School - 42 Rapid City | 25.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Pinedale Elementary - 11 Rapid City | 26.2 mi | 5.7 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City | 25.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 Rapid City | 25.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 Rapid City | 26.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Elk Mountain Elementary - 01 Dewey | 22.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57730 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,911
Median Home Value
$324,300
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
Population
5,647
College Educated
35.4%
Homeownership
80.7%
Avg Commute
26.9 min
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
57.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Custer Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $81,911. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $324,300, with a median rent of $1,070/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| C C Lee Elementary - 05 Aberdeen, SD | 7.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary - 05 Watertown, SD | 7.8 |
| RONCALLI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Aberdeen, SD | 7.8 |
| Medary Elementary - 05 Brookings, SD | 7.9 |
| SACRED HEART MIDDLE SCHOOL - Yankton, SD | 7.9 |
| Clark Elementary - 02 Clark, SD | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Custer Elementary - 02
What grades does Custer Elementary - 02 serve?
Custer Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Custer Elementary - 02?
Custer Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 293 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Custer Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Custer Elementary - 02 is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Custer Elementary - 02 rank in SD?
Custer Elementary - 02 is ranked #100 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Custer Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Custer Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Custer Elementary - 02?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Custer Elementary - 02 has 43.7% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Custer Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, Custer Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Custer Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, Custer Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Custer Elementary - 02?
24.2% of students at Custer 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 293
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Custer County
- Phone
- (605) 673-4483
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Custer School District 16-1- District Enrollment
- 906
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,663
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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.
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