Very Good
#126 of 574 schools in SD
Top 22% in state
De Smet High School - 01
High School · De Smet School District 38-2
PO Box 157, De Smet, SD 57231
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In De Smet
#1 of 3
public schools
South Dakota high schools
#35 of 156
In district
#1 of 3
De Smet School District 38-2
School environment
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About De Smet High School - 01
De Smet High School - 01 serves 90 students in grades 9-12 in the small rural community of De Smet, South Dakota. This public high school maintains an intimate learning environment with just 8 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an impressive 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships. Academically, De Smet High School performs well above average, earning a 7.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 68th out of 586 high schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile.
The school demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, with 70% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows 50% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating room for continued growth in this subject area. The school serves a stable rural community where the median household income is $70,625 and median home value is $171,800.
With 22% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 10.8%, the area reflects typical rural demographics. De Smet High School operates in Kingsbury County's remote rural setting, where students benefit from small-town values and close community connections that characterize this corner of South Dakota.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 90 students, De Smet High School - 01 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, De Smet 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 metricsView breakdown
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De Smet High School - 01 — Students at De Smet High School - 01 score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.7%
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: 6.5/10.
How De Smet High School - 01 Compares
See how De Smet High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 49.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 69.5% (2019) to 69.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 157, De Smet, SD 57231
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering De Smet High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Howard High School - 01 (rated 8.3/10, 25.5 miles away, in nearby Howard), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lake Preston High School - 01 (rated 7.7/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Lake Preston), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Iroquois High School - 01 (rated 7.0/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Iroquois), with a comparable rating. For more schools in De Smet, see our De Smet schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57231 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,375
Median Home Value
$173,600
Median Rent
$748/mo
Population
1,769
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
82.9%
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding De Smet High School - 01 has a median household income of $69,375. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,600, with a median rent of $748/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lemmon High School - 01 Lemmon, SD | 7.6 |
| Gregory High School - 01 Gregory, SD | 7.5 |
| Rosholt High School - 01 Rosholt, SD | 7.5 |
| Philip High School - 01 Philip, SD | 7.7 |
| Castlewood High School - 01 Castlewood, SD | 7.8 |
| Ethan High School - 01 Ethan, SD | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about De Smet High School - 01
What grades does De Smet High School - 01 serve?
De Smet High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend De Smet High School - 01?
De Smet High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 90 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at De Smet High School - 01?
The student-teacher ratio at De Smet High School - 01 is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does De Smet High School - 01 rank in SD?
De Smet High School - 01 is ranked #126 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is De Smet High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?
De Smet High School - 01 has a composite rating of 7.6 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 De Smet High School - 01?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, De Smet High School - 01 has 36.3% math proficiency and 69.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is De Smet High School - 01 a charter school?
No, De Smet High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is De Smet High School - 01 a Title I school?
No, De Smet High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for De Smet High School - 01?
16.7% of students at De Smet 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 90
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 16.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Kingsbury County
- Phone
- (605) 854-3423
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
De Smet School District 38-2- District Enrollment
- 354
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,208
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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