Average
#207 of 574 schools in SD
Top 36% in state
Custer Jr. High - 05
Middle School · Custer School District 16-1
1645 Wildcat Ln, Custer, SD 57730
Enrollment
103
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
103
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Custer
#2 of 3
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#43 of 144
In district
#2 of 4
Custer School District 16-1
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Custer Jr. High - 05
Custer Jr. High - 05 is a rural middle school located in Custer, South Dakota, serving students in grades seven and eight. With an enrollment of 103 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more personalized attention.
The dedicated staff includes seven full-time equivalent teachers who work to support each student's academic journey. Custer Jr. High - 05 holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks at #183 among the state’s 586 schools, placing it in the 69th percentile overall.
Academically, the school has an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 60% and a Math proficiency rate of 47%, with room for growth and improvement. Custer Jr. High - 05 is set amidst the serene rural landscape of Custer County, offering students a peaceful environment conducive to learning and development.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 103 students, Custer Jr. High - 05 is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Custer Jr. High - 05 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Custer Jr. High - 05 — Students at Custer Jr. High - 05 score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.4%
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: 6.6/10.
How Custer Jr. High - 05 Compares
See how Custer Jr. High - 05 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
1645 Wildcat Ln, Custer, SD 57730
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Custer Jr. High - 05 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hill City Middle School - 04 (rated 6.7/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Hill City), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hot Springs Middle School - 06 (rated 6.3/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Hot Springs), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Southwest Middle School - 38 (rated 6.2/10, 24.2 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Custer, see our Custer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.3 miNeighborhood 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 Jr. High - 05 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 |
|---|---|
| Parker Jr. High - 03 Parker, SD | 6.9 |
| Baltic Middle School - 03 Baltic, SD | 7.0 |
| Chester Middle School - 03 Chester, SD | 6.8 |
| Elkton Jr. High - 03 Elkton, SD | 6.8 |
| Hill City Middle School - 04 Hill City, SD | 6.7 |
| Bridgewater-Emery Middle School - 04 Emery, SD | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Custer Jr. High - 05
What grades does Custer Jr. High - 05 serve?
Custer Jr. High - 05 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Custer Jr. High - 05?
Custer Jr. High - 05 has an enrollment of approximately 103 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Custer Jr. High - 05?
The student-teacher ratio at Custer Jr. High - 05 is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Custer Jr. High - 05 rank in SD?
Custer Jr. High - 05 is ranked #207 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Custer Jr. High - 05's MySchoolScout rating?
Custer Jr. High - 05 has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Jr. High - 05?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Custer Jr. High - 05 has 47.0% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Custer Jr. High - 05 a charter school?
No, Custer Jr. High - 05 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Custer Jr. High - 05 a Title I school?
No, Custer Jr. High - 05 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Custer Jr. High - 05?
18.4% of students at Custer Jr. High - 05 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
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 103
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.4%
- 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
- #2 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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