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Below Average

#471 of 574 schools in SD

Estelline Middle School - 03

Middle School · Estelline School District 28-2

PO Box 306, Estelline, SD 57234

Enrollment

53

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Estelline

#2 of 3

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#117 of 144

In district

#2 of 3

Estelline School District 28-2

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Estelline Middle School - 03

Estelline Middle School - 03 is a small middle school located in the remote rural area of Estelline, South Dakota. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 53 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout Rating is 4.2 out of 10, placing it at number 434 among South Dakota’s 586 schools, which reflects the need for continued academic growth and support.

In terms of test performance, 44% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 47% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to help improve overall academic achievement. Despite its small size and remote setting, Estelline Middle School - 03 provides a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters individualized attention for each student.

The school’s rural location offers a unique environment with strong ties to the local community, making it an integral part of life in Hamlin County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 53 students, Estelline 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, Estelline 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 Progress2.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,545

Estelline Middle School - 03 — Students at Estelline Middle School - 03 score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.7%
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
62%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
42%
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: 2.9/10.

How Estelline Middle School - 03 Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in SD
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

PO Box 306, Estelline, SD 57234

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Estelline Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Deubrook Jr. High - 02 (rated 8.4/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby White), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clear Lake Middle School - 04 (rated 6.0/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Clear Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sioux Valley Middle School - 04 (rated 5.3/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Volga), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Estelline, see our Estelline schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Estelline High School - 01 Estelline 0.0 mi 4.8
Estelline Elementary - 02 Estelline 0.0 mi 5.1
POINSETT COLONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Estelline 4.6 mi
Claremont Colony Elementary - 04 Castlewood 9.7 mi
Red Willow Colony School - 09 White 8.6 mi
Castlewood Elementary - 02 Castlewood 12.2 mi 5.4
Castlewood High School - 01 Castlewood 12.2 mi 7.8
Castlewood Middle School - 03 Castlewood 12.2 mi 4.4
Sioux Valley High School - 01 Volga 17.6 mi 6.9
Sioux Valley Middle School - 04 Volga 17.6 mi 5.3
Sioux Valley Elementary - 02 Volga 17.6 mi 6.2
Deubrook Elementary - 03 Toronto 12.6 mi 4.5
VOLGA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Volga 17.9 mi 5.6
Deuel High School - 01 Clear Lake 16.1 mi 6.2
Clear Lake Elementary - 02 Clear Lake 16.1 mi 8.0
Clear Lake Middle School - 04 Clear Lake 16.1 mi 6.0
Deubrook High School - 01 White 15.7 mi 8.0
Deubrook Jr. High - 02 White 15.7 mi 8.4
Hillcrest Elementary - 04 Brookings 19.4 mi 5.1
Medary Elementary - 05 Brookings 19.8 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57234 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,167

Median Home Value

$169,600

Median Rent

$625/mo

Population

1,372

College Educated

29.1%

Homeownership

88.1%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

35.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Estelline Middle School - 03 has a median household income of $79,167. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $169,600, with a median rent of $625/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Dupree Jr. High - 04 Dupree, SD 4.9
Selby Middle School - 03 Selby, SD 5.0
Corsica-Stickney Jr. High - 03 Corsica, SD 4.8
Avon Middle School - 05 Avon, SD 5.1
Canistota Middle School - 03 Canistota, SD 5.1
Gettysburg Middle School - 03 Gettysburg, SD 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Estelline Middle School - 03

What grades does Estelline Middle School - 03 serve?

Estelline Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Estelline Middle School - 03?

Estelline Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 53 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Estelline Middle School - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Estelline Middle School - 03 is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Estelline Middle School - 03 rank in SD?

Estelline Middle School - 03 is ranked #471 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Estelline Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Estelline Middle School - 03 has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Estelline Middle School - 03?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Estelline Middle School - 03 has 47.0% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Estelline Middle School - 03 a charter school?

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

Is Estelline Middle School - 03 a Title I school?

No, Estelline Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Estelline Middle School - 03?

22.6% of students at Estelline 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
Average (557/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
53
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Hamlin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Estelline School District 28-2
District Enrollment
275
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,690
District Rank
#2 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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