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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.8Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College Readiness3.1Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,911

Custer High School - 01 — Students at Custer High School - 01 score 57% 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

16%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
77%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.8/10
62th percentile in SD
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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 methodology

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