Average
#218 of 574 schools in SD
Top 38% in state
Custer High School - 01
High School · Custer School District 16-1
1645 Wildcat Ln, Custer, SD 57730
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Custer
#3 of 3
public schools
South Dakota high schools
#62 of 156
In district
#3 of 4
Custer School District 16-1
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Custer High School - 01
Custer High School - 01 serves 262 students in grades 9-12 in Custer, South Dakota, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking 55th out of 586 South Dakota schools, the school places in the 91st percentile statewide. The school maintains a favorable learning environment with a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio and 20 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academic performance shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 70% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area for continued growth, with 35% of students demonstrating proficiency. Custer High School draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $76,667 and home values average $286,300.
About one-third of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.1%, suggesting a community that values education and provides solid support for student achievement. Located on Wildcat Lane in rural Custer County, the school serves a close-knit community of approximately 5,800 residents in the surrounding area, offering students a small-town educational experience with strong academic expectations.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Custer 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
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Custer High School - 01 — Students at Custer High School - 01 score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.2/10.
How Custer High School - 01 Compares
See how Custer High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
1645 Wildcat Ln, Custer, SD 57730
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Custer High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hot Springs High School - 01 (rated 6.4/10, 23.7 miles away, in nearby Hot Springs), with a comparable rating. Another option is RAPID CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 22.5 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), a more accessible option. Additionally, Stevens High School - 42 (rated 4.8/10, 25.8 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Custer, see our Custer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Custer Jr. High - 05 Custer | 0.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Custer Elementary - 02 Custer | 0.1 mi | 7.8 |
| 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 | 11.4 mi | 4.2 |
| BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S HOME Rapid City | 14.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Hot Springs Elementary - 02 Hot Springs | 23.6 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 | 19.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Corral Drive Elementary - 21 Rapid City | 24.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Southwest Middle School - 38 Rapid City | 24.2 mi | 6.2 |
| RAPID CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City | 22.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Stevens High School - 42 Rapid City | 25.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Pinedale Elementary - 11 Rapid City | 26.1 mi | 5.7 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City | 25.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 Rapid City | 25.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 Rapid City | 26.0 mi | 4.6 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City | 25.3 mi | 5.6 |
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 High School - 01 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 |
|---|---|
| Chamberlain High School - 01 Chamberlain, SD | 6.8 |
| Sioux Valley High School - 01 Volga, SD | 6.9 |
| Baltic High School - 01 Baltic, SD | 7.0 |
| Elk Point-Jefferson High School - 01 Elk Point, SD | 6.6 |
| Winner High School - 01 Winner, SD | 7.0 |
| RONCALLI JR & SR HIGH SCHOOL Aberdeen, SD | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Custer High School - 01
What grades does Custer High School - 01 serve?
Custer High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Custer High School - 01?
Custer High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 262 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Custer High School - 01?
The student-teacher ratio at Custer High School - 01 is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Custer High School - 01 rank in SD?
Custer High School - 01 is ranked #218 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Custer High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?
Custer High School - 01 has a composite rating of 6.8 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 High School - 01?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Custer High School - 01 has 35.3% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Custer High School - 01 a charter school?
No, Custer High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Custer High School - 01 a Title I school?
No, Custer High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Custer High School - 01?
16.0% of students at Custer 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (484/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 262
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 16.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Custer County
- Phone
- (605) 673-4473
- 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
- #3 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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