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Needs Improvement

#550 of 574 schools in SD

Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03

Middle School · Elk Point-Jefferson School District 61-7

PO Box 578, Elk Point, SD 57025

Enrollment

139

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

3.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Elk Point

#3 of 3

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#135 of 144

In district

#3 of 3

Elk Point-Jefferson School District 61-7

About Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03

Elk Point-Jefferson Middle School - 03 is a regular public middle school located in the rural setting of Elk Point, South Dakota. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 139 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Elk Point-Jefferson Middle School is reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10, placing it at the 20th percentile among South Dakota schools.

On state assessments, 57% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 52% are proficient or above in Math. While there is room for academic growth, the school focuses on student development and provides a supportive learning environment tailored to its rural community. Situated in a tight-knit rural area, Elk Point-Jefferson Middle School benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports its students' overall well-being.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 139 students, Elk Point-jefferson 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, Elk Point-jefferson 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 Progress2.3Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-7.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,126

Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 — Students at Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.0%
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
62%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
42%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 Compares

See how Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
4th percentile in SD
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

PO Box 578, Elk Point, SD 57025

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Akron Westfield Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Akron), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dakota Valley Middle School - 03 (rated 6.1/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby North Sioux City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Sioux City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Elk Point, see our Elk Point schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Elk Point-Jefferson High School - 01 Elk Point 0.0 mi 6.6
Elk Point-Jefferson Elementary - 02 Elk Point 0.1 mi 4.2
PONCA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ponca 8.3 mi 8.7
PONCA HIGH SCHOOL Ponca 8.3 mi 6.4
Akron Westfield Elementary School Akron 12.5 mi 8.0
Akron Westfield Middle School Akron 12.5 mi 7.2
Akron Westfield Senior High School Akron 12.5 mi 6.5
Dakota Valley High School - 01 North Sioux City 12.4 mi 7.0
Dakota Valley Middle School - 03 North Sioux City 12.4 mi 6.1
Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04 North Sioux City 12.4 mi 7.2
Dakota Valley Elementary - 02 North Sioux City 12.5 mi 6.1
Vermillion High School - 01 Vermillion 13.2 mi 3.9
ST AGNES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vermillion 13.2 mi 4.9
Jolley Elementary - 04 Vermillion 13.6 mi 5.7
JACKSON ELEMENTARY Jackson 17.3 mi 7.1
Austin Elementary - 03 Vermillion 14.3 mi 5.8
Riverside Elementary School Sioux City 15.7 mi 6.9
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Sioux City 15.7 mi 9.0
Vermillion Middle School - 02 Vermillion 14.6 mi 5.0
West Middle School Sioux City 17.0 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57025 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,466

Median Home Value

$226,000

Median Rent

$738/mo

Population

3,165

College Educated

32.3%

Homeownership

77.6%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

6.9%

Median Age

36.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 has a median household income of $88,466. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $226,000, with a median rent of $738/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Bennett County Middle School - 06 Martin, SD 3.5
Redfield Middle School - 02 Redfield, SD 4.5
De Smet Middle School - 03 De Smet, SD 3.2
Flandreau Middle School - 03 Flandreau, SD 4.7
Hamlin Middle School - 02 Hayti, SD 4.7
Garretson Middle School - 03 Garretson, SD 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03

What grades does Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 serve?

Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03?

Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 139 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 rank in SD?

Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 is ranked #550 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 has 52.0% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 a charter school?

No, Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 a Title I school?

No, Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03?

15.1% of students at Elk Point-jefferson 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

City Safety
Average (633/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Elk Point). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
15.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Union County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Elk Point-Jefferson School District 61-7
District Enrollment
690
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,520
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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