Skip to main content

Below Average

#532 of 574 schools in SD

Douglas High School - 03

High School · Douglas School District 51-1

420 Patriot Dr, Box Elder, SD 57719

Enrollment

752

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Box Elder

#4 of 4

public schools

South Dakota high schools

#145 of 156

In district

#4 of 4

Douglas School District 51-1

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Douglas High School - 03

Douglas High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Box Elder, a town on the fringe of an urban area in Pennington County. The school enrolls 752 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1, supported by 44 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Douglas High School is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.

In English language arts and reading, 69% of students score proficient or above, showing solid progress in literacy. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 49% of students achieving proficiency or above. The school's academic score of 6.6/10 reflects these mixed results, placing it at the 54th percentile statewide among South Dakota high schools.

This positioning suggests Douglas High is close to the state median in terms of overall academic performance. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.5/10 indicates it's performing near the middle of the spectrum, with opportunities for improvement in instructional strategies and student achievement. For families considering Douglas High School, the data suggests a place where students will find a moderately-sized learning environment with a reasonable class structure, though parents may want to inquire about specific support programs in mathematics and school initiatives aimed at raising proficiency levels across both major subject areas.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness1.7Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,370

Douglas High School - 03 — Students at Douglas High School - 03 score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.7%
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
52%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
42%
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: 4.5/10.

How Douglas High School - 03 Compares

See how Douglas High School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
8th percentile in SD
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

420 Patriot Dr, Box Elder, SD 57719

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Douglas High School - 03 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Patriot Elementary -06 (rated 7.1/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jefferson Building - 64 (rated 6.9/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Box Elder, see our Box Elder schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Patriot Elementary -06 Box Elder 0.1 mi 7.1
Douglas Middle School - 01 Box Elder 0.3 mi 5.1
Vandenberg Elementary - 02 Box Elder 0.2 mi 5.7
East Middle School - 30 Rapid City 5.5 mi 5.2
Valley View Elementary - 13 Rapid City 5.5 mi 3.9
Rapid Valley Elementary - 12 Rapid City 6.6 mi 5.6
RAPID CITY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rapid City 6.5 mi
CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City 7.4 mi 7.1
Knollwood Heights Elementary - 08 Rapid City 7.6 mi 4.8
Wellfully - 65 Rapid City 7.9 mi
North Middle School - 35 Rapid City 7.9 mi 5.8
General Beadle Elementary - 01 Rapid City 8.0 mi 4.5
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City 9.0 mi 4.5
Robbinsdale Elementary - 14 Rapid City 8.8 mi 4.6
Jefferson Building - 64 Rapid City 8.6 mi 6.9
South Middle School - 36 Rapid City 9.1 mi 6.4
Horace Mann Elementary - 07 Rapid City 8.8 mi 3.8
Central High School - 41 Rapid City 8.9 mi 4.0
South Park Elementary - 16 Rapid City 9.3 mi 5.0
Grandview Elementary - 06 Rapid City 9.5 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57719 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,936

Median Home Value

$275,400

Median Rent

$1,212/mo

Population

11,475

College Educated

27.5%

Homeownership

61.6%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

31.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Douglas High School - 03 has a median household income of $74,936. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $275,400, with a median rent of $1,212/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Brookings High School - 01 Brookings, SD 4.2
Tea Area High School - 03 Tea, SD 4.9
Sturgis Brown High School - 01 Sturgis, SD 5.0
Yankton High School - 01 Yankton, SD 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Douglas High School - 03

What grades does Douglas High School - 03 serve?

Douglas High School - 03 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Douglas High School - 03?

Douglas High School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 752 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Douglas High School - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Douglas High School - 03 is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Douglas High School - 03 rank in SD?

Douglas High School - 03 is ranked #532 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Douglas High School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Douglas High School - 03 has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Douglas High School - 03?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Douglas High School - 03 has 48.7% math proficiency and 68.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Douglas High School - 03 a charter school?

No, Douglas High School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Douglas High School - 03 a Title I school?

No, Douglas High School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Douglas High School - 03?

22.9% of students at Douglas High 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

City Safety
High (1,549/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Box Elder). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
752
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Pennington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Douglas School District 51-1
District Enrollment
2,753
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,597
District Rank
#4 of 4

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.