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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,608

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 59.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
55%
ELA
60%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
62%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in SD
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (97/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dell Rapids School District 49-3
District Enrollment
973
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,960
District Rank
#1 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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