Very Good

#169 of 574 schools in SD

Top 29% in state

Custer Jr. High - 05

Middle School · Custer School District 16-1

1645 Wildcat Ln, Custer, SD 57730

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

103

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

7.3

Grades

7th – 8th

Enrollment

103

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

7.3

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#169 of 574

In Custer

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Custer School District 16-1

School environment

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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

Middle School in Custer · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Custer Jr. High - 05

Custer Jr. High - 05 is a public middle school in Custer, SD, part of Custer School District 16-1. Custer Jr.

High - 05 serves approximately 103 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Custer Jr. High - 05 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #169 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Custer Jr. High - 05 show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts above SD schools

7.3

This school 7.3 · Very Good
SD avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 103 students, Custer Jr. High - 05 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Custer Jr. High - 05 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 Progress7.1Very Good40%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-2.18 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics7.1Very Good35%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+1.1 pts

Adjusted Percentile57th

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent25%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1

Per-Pupil Spending$14,663

Chronic Absenteeism12.6%

Custer Jr. High - 05 — Students at Custer Jr. High - 05 score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 51.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 58.5% (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

77%

2010

Math

82%

ELA

77%

2011

Math

77%

ELA

82%

2012

Math

62%

ELA

67%

2014

Math

27%

ELA

27%

2015

Math

37%

ELA

42%

2016

Math

32%

ELA

37%

2017

Math

37%

ELA

47%

2018

Math

47%

ELA

62%

2019

Math

47%

ELA

62%

2020*

Math

47%

ELA

62%

2021*

Math

47%

ELA

62%

2022

Math

47%

ELA

57%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Custer Jr. High - 05 Compares

See how Custer Jr. High - 05 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

7.3/10

71th percentile in SD

Academic

7.1/10

Very Good

Growth

7.1/10

Very Good

Environment

8.0/10

Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

18%

Teaching Staff

15:1 student-teacher ratio

7 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

12.6%

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. Southwest Middle School - 38 (rated 7.2/10, 24.2 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hill City Middle School - 04 (rated 6.7/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Hill City), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Hot Springs Middle School - 06 (rated 6.0/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Hot Springs), a more accessible option. For more schools in Custer, see our Custer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.3 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Custer High School - 01 Custer	0.0 mi	262	7.1
Custer Elementary - 02 Custer	0.1 mi	293	6.4
Hill City High School - 01 Hill City	11.3 mi	154	7.1
Hill City Middle School - 04 Hill City	11.4 mi	118	6.7
Hill City Elementary - 02 Hill City	11.4 mi	236	6.8
BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S HOME Rapid City	14.2 mi	36	8.2
Hot Springs Elementary - 02 Hot Springs	23.6 mi	332	5.2
Hot Springs Middle School - 06 Hot Springs	23.6 mi	179	6.0
Hot Springs High School - 01 Hot Springs	23.7 mi	228	5.1
BETHESDA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hot Springs	23.9 mi	13	—
Hermosa Elementary - 04 Hermosa	19.9 mi	175	4.3
Corral Drive Elementary - 21 Rapid City	24.2 mi	467	6.9
Southwest Middle School - 38 Rapid City	24.2 mi	665	7.2
RAPID CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City	22.5 mi	357	5.0
Stevens High School - 42 Rapid City	25.8 mi	1,763	6.2
Pinedale Elementary - 11 Rapid City	26.1 mi	363	7.6
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City	25.1 mi	180	5.9
Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 Rapid City	25.8 mi	454	6.6
Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 Rapid City	26.0 mi	297	3.6
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City	25.3 mi	129	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

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Platte - Geddes Jr. High - 03 Platte, SD	100	7.2
Avon Middle School - 05 Avon, SD	73	7.1
Chester Middle School - 03 Chester, SD	69	7.0
Corsica-Stickney Jr. High - 03 Corsica, SD	64	7.0
Hanson Middle School - 02 Alexandria, SD	75	7.6
Mobridge Middle School - 02 Mobridge, SD	111	7.6

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 ranks #169 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Custer Jr. High - 05's MySchoolScout rating?

Custer Jr. High - 05 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Jr. High - 05?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Custer Jr. High - 05 has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.