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Needs Improvement

#570 of 574 schools in SD

Dawson Colony School - 20

Elementary School · Bon Homme School District 04-2

41544 Hwy 46, Scotland, SD 57059

Enrollment

32

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

2.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Scotland

#4 of 4

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#269 of 271

In district

#7 of 7

Bon Homme School District 04-2

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Dawson Colony School - 20

Dawson Colony School - 20 is a small rural elementary school located in the remote area of Scotland, South Dakota, within Bon Homme County. The school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade and has an enrollment of just 32 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1 and three full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers personalized attention to its pupils.

Academically, Dawson Colony School - 20 ranks in the lower tier among South Dakota schools, with a state ranking of #569 out of 586 schools (3rd percentile) and a MySchoolScout rating of 2.5/10. Students perform better in math, with 50% reaching proficiency or above compared to just 25% for ELA/reading. Despite the current academic performance challenges, the school remains dedicated to student development and growth.

The close-knit rural setting provides a supportive environment where teachers know each child well, fostering individualized learning plans and strong community ties. Dawson Colony School - 20 is situated in an area where tight-knit relationships among families are common, making it feel like one big family for both students and staff.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 32 students, Dawson Colony School - 20 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, Dawson Colony School - 20 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 metrics
Student Progress1.1Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-25 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-32.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,544

Dawson Colony School - 20 — Students at Dawson Colony School - 20 score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2021*
Math
75%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 1.1/10.

How Dawson Colony School - 20 Compares

See how Dawson Colony School - 20 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.9/10
1th percentile in SD
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
1.1/10
Below average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Location

41544 Hwy 46, Scotland, SD 57059

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dawson Colony School - 20 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Springfield Elementary - 03 (rated 8.0/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Springfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tyndall Elementary - 04 (rated 6.8/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Tyndall), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Avon Elementary - 02 (rated 6.8/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Avon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Scotland, see our Scotland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Tyndall Elementary - 04 Tyndall 6.4 mi 6.8
Bon Homme High School - 01 Tyndall 6.4 mi 7.1
Bon Homme Middle School - 02 Tyndall 6.4 mi 8.7
Bon Homme PK - 08 Tyndall 6.4 mi 5.3
Tripp-Delmont High School - 01 Tripp 10.9 mi 9.0
Tripp-Delmont Jr. High - 02 Tripp 10.9 mi
Tripp Elementary - 03 Tripp 10.9 mi 6.1
Scotland Elementary - 02 Scotland 9.6 mi 6.2
Scotland High School - 01 Scotland 9.6 mi 7.3
Scotland Middle School - 05 Scotland 9.6 mi 4.1
Avon Elementary - 02 Avon 10.2 mi 6.8
Avon High School - 01 Avon 10.2 mi 6.5
Avon Middle School - 05 Avon 10.2 mi 5.1
Avon Preschool - 06 Avon 10.2 mi
Springfield Elementary - 03 Springfield 15.5 mi 8.0
ISANTI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niobrara 16.8 mi 6.5
ISANTI HIGH SCHOOL Niobrara 16.8 mi 7.3
ISANTI MIDDLE SCHOOL Niobrara 16.8 mi 4.8
Clearfield Colony Elementary - 07 Tripp 13.7 mi
Maxwell Colony Elementary - 04 Menno 14.3 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57059 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,406

Median Home Value

$132,800

Median Rent

$581/mo

Population

1,291

College Educated

31.3%

Homeownership

79.6%

Avg Commute

19.7 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dawson Colony School - 20 has a median household income of $61,406. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $132,800, with a median rent of $581/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Chester, SD 3.1
McIntosh Elementary - 02 Mcintosh, SD 3.5
Maxwell Colony Elementary - 04 Menno, SD 3.8
Millerdale Colony Elementary - 11 Miller, SD 1.5
Oaklane Colony Elementary - 05 Alexandria, SD 4.3
BETHEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sioux Falls, SD

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dawson Colony School - 20

What grades does Dawson Colony School - 20 serve?

Dawson Colony School - 20 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Dawson Colony School - 20?

Dawson Colony School - 20 has an enrollment of approximately 32 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dawson Colony School - 20?

The student-teacher ratio at Dawson Colony School - 20 is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dawson Colony School - 20 rank in SD?

Dawson Colony School - 20 is ranked #570 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Dawson Colony School - 20's MySchoolScout rating?

Dawson Colony School - 20 has a composite rating of 2.9 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 Dawson Colony School - 20?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dawson Colony School - 20 has 50.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dawson Colony School - 20 a charter school?

No, Dawson Colony School - 20 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dawson Colony School - 20 a Title I school?

No, Dawson Colony School - 20 is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Low (127/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Scotland). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
32
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Bon Homme County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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