Very Good
#164 of 574 schools in SD
Top 28% in state
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03
Middle School · Dell Rapids School District 49-3
1216 N Garfield Ave, Dell Rapids, SD 57022
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dell Rapids
#1 of 3
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#32 of 144
In district
#1 of 3
Dell Rapids School District 49-3
Academic performance
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Dell Rapids Middle School - 03
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 serves 280 students in grades 5-8 in this close-knit South Dakota community. With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 and 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that contributes to its strong academic performance. The school earns a solid 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #104 out of 586 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile.
Students demonstrate consistent achievement across core subjects, with 62% reaching proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and Mathematics. This academic success reflects the school's 8.3 out of 10 academic score. Dell Rapids Middle School draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $87,048 and home values average $273,300.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of 7%, while 35% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education and supports student learning. Located on North Garfield Avenue, the school sits in a rural setting that offers students the benefits of small-town community connections while maintaining access to quality educational resources. The combination of dedicated faculty, engaged families, and the supportive Dell Rapids community creates an environment where middle school students can develop both academically and personally.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dell Rapids 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
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 — Students at Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.9%
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
→ 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: 7.0/10.
How Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 Compares
See how Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 61% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
1216 N Garfield Ave, Dell Rapids, SD 57022
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Baltic Middle School - 03 (rated 7.0/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Baltic), with a very similar rating. Another option is Chester Middle School - 03 (rated 6.8/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Chester), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Colman-Egan Jr. High - 02 (rated 6.1/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Colman), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dell Rapids, see our Dell Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dell Rapids High School - 01 Dell Rapids | 0.0 mi | 6.1 |
| ST MARY GRADE SCHOOL Dell Rapids | 0.4 mi | 4.3 |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dell Rapids | 0.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Dell Rapids Elementary - 02 Dell Rapids | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Baltic Elementary - 02 Baltic | 5.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Baltic High School - 01 Baltic | 5.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Baltic Middle School - 03 Baltic | 5.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Colman-Egan High School - 01 Colman | 11.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Colman-Egan Jr. High - 02 Colman | 11.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Colman Elementary - 03 Colman | 11.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Renberg Elementary - 42 Renner | 13.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Garretson Elementary - 02 Garretson | 12.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Garretson High School - 01 Garretson | 12.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Garretson Middle School - 03 Garretson | 12.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Chester High School - 01 Chester | 12.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Chester Elementary -02 Chester | 12.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Chester Middle School - 03 Chester | 12.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Chester Area Cyber School - 92 Chester | 12.2 mi | 5.9 |
| High Plains - 06 Chester | 12.2 mi | 4.9 |
| EDUCATION & INTEGRATION SERVICES Sioux Falls | 16.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57022 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$100,595
Median Home Value
$293,800
Median Rent
$940/mo
Population
5,476
College Educated
36.7%
Homeownership
82.6%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Median Age
38.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 has a median household income of $100,595. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,800, with a median rent of $940/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Lennox Jr. High - 08 Lennox, SD | 7.0 |
| Sisseton Middle School - 02 Sisseton, SD | 6.9 |
| Lennox Intermediate - 09 Lennox, SD | 7.6 |
| Wagner Middle School - 03 Wagner, SD | 6.6 |
| West Central Middle School - 04 Hartford, SD | 6.5 |
| Canton Middle School - 04 Canton, SD | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dell Rapids Middle School - 03
What grades does Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 serve?
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Dell Rapids Middle School - 03?
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 280 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dell Rapids Middle School - 03?
The student-teacher ratio at Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 rank in SD?
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 is ranked #164 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Dell Rapids Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Dell Rapids Middle School - 03?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 has 59.7% math proficiency and 61.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 a charter school?
No, Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 a Title I school?
No, Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dell Rapids Middle School - 03?
18.9% of students at Dell Rapids 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 280
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Minnehaha County
- Phone
- (605) 428-5473
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dell Rapids School District 49-3- District Enrollment
- 973
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,960
- 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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