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Below Average

#472 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

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#472 of 574

In De Smet

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

De Smet School District 38-2

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De Smet Middle School - 03

4.5/10

Middle School in De Smet · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

De Smet High School - 01

7.7/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02

6.9/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About De Smet Middle School - 03

De Smet Middle School - 03 is a public middle school in De Smet, SD, part of De Smet School District 38-2. De Smet Middle School - 03 serves approximately 86 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. De Smet Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #472 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for De Smet Middle School - 03 show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts below SD schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • SD avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 86 students, De Smet Middle School - 03 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.

De Smet Middle School - 03 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 Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.33 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-13.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment6.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,208
Chronic Absenteeism8.1%

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.2% (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
87%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2018
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
37%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How De Smet Middle School - 03 Compares

See how De Smet Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
18th percentile in SD
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
6.0/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
8.1%

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. Howard Jr. High - 05 (rated 7.9/10, 25.5 miles away, in nearby Howard), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lake Preston Middle School - 03 (rated 6.6/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Lake Preston), 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 mi
School Distance Rating
De Smet High School - 01 De Smet 0.0 mi 7.7
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 De Smet 0.1 mi 6.9
Lake Preston Elementary - 02 Lake Preston 9.2 mi 9.1
Lake Preston High School - 01 Lake Preston 9.2 mi 7.7
Lake Preston Middle School - 03 Lake Preston 9.2 mi 6.6
Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake 13.2 mi
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake 17.3 mi 6.4
Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake 17.3 mi 7.9
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Willow Lake 17.3 mi 6.4
SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois 15.1 mi 5.4
Iroquois High School - 01 Iroquois 14.7 mi 5.9
Iroquois Middle School - 02 Iroquois 14.7 mi 4.4
Iroquois Elementary - 04 Iroquois 14.7 mi 6.0
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake 21.5 mi 6.9
Pearl Creek Colony Elementary - 05 Iroquois 18.2 mi
Howard High School - 01 Howard 25.5 mi 9.3
Howard Jr. High - 05 Howard 25.5 mi 7.9
Howard Elementary - 02 Howard 25.7 mi 6.4
Hamlin Middle School - 02 Hayti 22.8 mi 4.5
Hamlin High School - 01 Hayti 22.8 mi 7.8

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Armour Middle School - 03 Armour, SD 4.5
Lyman Middle School - 02 Presho, SD 4.6
Newell Middle School - 04 Newell, SD 4.4
Philip Jr. High - 03 Philip, SD 4.4
Redfield Middle School - 02 Redfield, SD 4.4
Wolsey Wessington Middle School - 03 Wolsey, SD 4.4

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 ranks #472 of 574 schools in SD.

What is De Smet Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

De Smet Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 De Smet Middle School - 03?

Based on loaded state assessment records, De Smet Middle School - 03 has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
8.1%

District

De Smet School District 38-2
District Enrollment
354
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,208
District Rank
#3 of 3

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