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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

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 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,341

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 36.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
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: 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.

Overall Score
3.2/10
2th percentile in SD
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
De Smet High School - 01 De Smet 0.0 mi 7.6
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 De Smet 0.1 mi 5.5
Lake Preston Elementary - 02 Lake Preston 9.2 mi 9.7
Lake Preston High School - 01 Lake Preston 9.2 mi 7.7
Lake Preston Middle School - 03 Lake Preston 9.2 mi 8.3
Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake 13.2 mi
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake 17.3 mi 4.0
Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake 17.3 mi 5.8
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 7.0
Iroquois Middle School - 02 Iroquois 14.7 mi 5.3
Iroquois Elementary - 04 Iroquois 14.7 mi 7.4
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake 21.5 mi 4.8
Pearl Creek Colony Elementary - 05 Iroquois 18.2 mi
Howard High School - 01 Howard 25.5 mi 8.3
Howard Jr. High - 05 Howard 25.5 mi 8.1
Howard Elementary - 02 Howard 25.7 mi 8.3
Hamlin Middle School - 02 Hayti 22.8 mi 4.7
Hamlin High School - 01 Hayti 22.8 mi 5.0

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

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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