Needs Improvement
#566 of 574 schools in SD
De Smet Middle School - 03
Middle School · De Smet School District 38-2
PO Box 157, De Smet, SD 57231
Enrollment
86
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
3.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
86
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
3.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In De Smet
#3 of 3
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#141 of 144
In district
#3 of 3
De Smet School District 38-2
About De Smet Middle School - 03
De Smet Middle School - 03 is a regular public middle school located in the remote rural area of De Smet, South Dakota. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 86 students and employs five full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.7 out of 10 and ranking as the 563rd out of 586 schools in South Dakota, it is clear that there is room for academic growth at De Smet Middle School - 03.
Academically, students have shown proficiency rates of 50% in ELA/Reading and 36% in Math. Despite the challenges reflected in these numbers, the school community focuses on developing each student's potential within a tight-knit rural setting. Located in Kingsbury County, De Smet Middle School - 03 provides an intimate learning environment where teachers can offer personalized attention to their students.
The small-town atmosphere fosters strong connections between staff, students, and families, creating a supportive educational community that values individual growth and development.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 86 students, De Smet Middle School - 03 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 Middle School - 03 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
De Smet Middle School - 03 — Students at De Smet Middle School - 03 score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.9%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.9/10.
How De Smet Middle School - 03 Compares
See how De Smet Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
PO Box 157, De Smet, SD 57231
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering De Smet Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lake Preston Middle School - 03 (rated 8.3/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Lake Preston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Howard Jr. High - 05 (rated 8.1/10, 25.5 miles away, in nearby Howard), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 (rated 6.4/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Willow Lake), which scores notably higher. 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 Middle School - 03 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 |
|---|---|
| Wilmot Middle School - 03 Wilmot, SD | 3.2 |
| Burke Middle School - 04 Burke, SD | 3.0 |
| Bennett County Middle School - 06 Martin, SD | 3.5 |
| Armour Middle School - 03 Armour, SD | 3.9 |
| New Underwood Middle School - 04 New Underwood, SD | 2.5 |
| Scotland Middle School - 05 Scotland, SD | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about De Smet Middle School - 03
What grades does De Smet Middle School - 03 serve?
De Smet Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend De Smet Middle School - 03?
De Smet Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 86 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at De Smet Middle School - 03?
The student-teacher ratio at De Smet Middle School - 03 is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does De Smet Middle School - 03 rank in SD?
De Smet Middle School - 03 is ranked #566 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is De Smet Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?
De Smet Middle School - 03 has a composite rating of 3.2 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 Middle School - 03?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, De Smet Middle School - 03 has 36.2% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is De Smet Middle School - 03 a charter school?
No, De Smet Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is De Smet Middle School - 03 a Title I school?
No, De Smet Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for De Smet Middle School - 03?
27.9% of students at De Smet Middle School - 03 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
- Low (173/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 86
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.9%
- 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
- #3 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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