Skip to main content

Average

#269 of 574 schools in SD

Top 47% 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

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#269 of 574

In Custer

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Custer School District 16-1

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Custer Elementary - 02?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Custer Elementary - 02

6.4/10

Elementary School in Custer · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Custer High School - 01

7.1/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Custer Jr. High - 05

7.3/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Custer Elementary - 02

Custer Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in Custer, SD, part of Custer School District 16-1. Custer Elementary - 02 serves approximately 293 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Custer Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #269 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Custer Elementary - 02 show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 5.3
  • SD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Custer Elementary - 02 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 Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.01 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,663
Chronic Absenteeism11.9%

Custer Elementary - 02 — Students at Custer Elementary - 02 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 51.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.0% (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
77%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
35%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
36%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
52%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Custer Elementary - 02 Compares

See how Custer Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
53th percentile in SD
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.9%

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 notably higher. Another option is Pinedale Elementary - 11 (rated 7.6/10, 26.2 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Corral Drive Elementary - 21 (rated 6.9/10, 24.3 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores slightly higher. 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 7.1
Custer Jr. High - 05 Custer 0.1 mi 7.3
Hill City High School - 01 Hill City 11.3 mi 7.1
Hill City Middle School - 04 Hill City 11.4 mi 6.7
Hill City Elementary - 02 Hill City 11.5 mi 6.8
BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S HOME Rapid City 14.3 mi 8.2
Hot Springs Elementary - 02 Hot Springs 23.5 mi 5.2
Hot Springs Middle School - 06 Hot Springs 23.6 mi 6.0
Hot Springs High School - 01 Hot Springs 23.7 mi 5.1
BETHESDA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hot Springs 23.9 mi
Hermosa Elementary - 04 Hermosa 20.0 mi 4.3
Corral Drive Elementary - 21 Rapid City 24.3 mi 6.9
Southwest Middle School - 38 Rapid City 24.3 mi 7.2
RAPID CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City 22.6 mi 5.0
Stevens High School - 42 Rapid City 25.9 mi 6.2
Pinedale Elementary - 11 Rapid City 26.2 mi 7.6
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City 25.2 mi 5.9
Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 Rapid City 25.8 mi 6.6
Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 Rapid City 26.1 mi 3.6
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Austin Elementary - 03 Vermillion, SD 6.4
Gregory Elementary - 02 Gregory, SD 6.4
West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 Hartford, SD 6.4
ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL Rapid City, SD 6.5
Groton Area Elementary - 02 Groton, SD 6.3
Hillcrest Elementary - 04 Brookings, SD 6.3

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 ranks #269 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Custer Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Custer Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Custer Elementary - 02?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Custer Elementary - 02 has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.9%

District

Custer School District 16-1
District Enrollment
906
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,663
District Rank
#3 of 4

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get 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.