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Very Good

#103 of 574 schools in SD

Top 18% in state

Ethan High School - 01

High School · Ethan School District 17-1

PO Box 169, Ethan, SD 57334

Enrollment

87

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ethan

#1 of 3

public schools

South Dakota high schools

#26 of 156

In district

#1 of 3

Ethan School District 17-1

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Ethan High School - 01

Ethan High School - 01 stands out as an exceptional educational institution, ranking #2 among all 586 high schools in South Dakota with an impressive 8.8 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. This small public high school serves 87 students in grades 9-12 with an intimate 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio, supported by 8 full-time equivalent teachers who clearly make a significant impact on student achievement. The school's academic performance is remarkable, with 90% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 70% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics.

This strong academic foundation has earned the school a near-perfect 9.9 out of 10 academic score, placing it in the 100th percentile statewide. Located in rural Davison County, Ethan High School serves a community where the median household income is $64,844 and 26% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains a modest cost of living with median home values around $156,300 and a poverty rate of 12.9%.

Students benefit from the personalized attention that comes with small-school education while achieving academic results that rival much larger institutions. The school operates in the heart of rural South Dakota, where close-knit community values support educational excellence.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 87 students, Ethan High School - 01 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, Ethan High School - 01 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.9Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90%
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+27.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,783

Ethan High School - 01 — Students at Ethan High School - 01 score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 69.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 90.0%
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
69.5%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2022
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Ethan High School - 01 Compares

See how Ethan High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
82th percentile in SD
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

PO Box 169, Ethan, SD 57334

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ethan High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Parkston High School - 01 (rated 8.0/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Parkston), with a very similar rating. Another option is Mitchell High School - 01 (rated 6.4/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Mitchell), a more accessible option. Additionally, Abbott House High School - 07 (rated 4.1/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Mitchell), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ethan, see our Ethan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Ethan Elementary - 02 Ethan 0.0 mi 7.5
Ethan Jr. High - 03 Ethan 0.0 mi 7.4
Rosedale Colony Elementary - 11 Mitchell 7.9 mi
Rockport Colony Elementary- 10 Alexandria 6.9 mi
Parkston Elementary - 02 Parkston 10.4 mi 4.8
Parkston High School - 01 Parkston 10.4 mi 8.0
Parkston Middle School - 05 Parkston 10.4 mi 5.3
Our Home Parkston 10.4 mi
L. B. Williams Elementary - 03 Mitchell 10.7 mi 7.8
Abbott House High School - 07 Mitchell 11.1 mi 4.1
Abbott House Elementary - 06 Mitchell 11.1 mi
New Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 08 Ethan 8.8 mi
Millbrook Colony Elementary - 04 Alexandria 10.3 mi
Hanson Colony Alternative High School - 07 Alexandria 10.3 mi
Longfellow Elementary - 05 Mitchell 11.5 mi 8.8
JOHN PAUL II ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mitchell 11.4 mi 6.6
Mitchell High School - 01 Mitchell 12.2 mi 6.4
Mitchell Middle School - 02 Mitchell 12.3 mi 7.2
Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary - 04 Mitchell 12.4 mi 6.3
MITCHELL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mitchell 12.9 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57334 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,000

Median Home Value

$179,800

Median Rent

$769/mo

Population

886

College Educated

22.9%

Homeownership

75.8%

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Median Age

32.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ethan High School - 01 has a median household income of $60,000. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,800, with a median rent of $769/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Castlewood High School - 01 Castlewood, SD 7.8
Frederick High School - 01 Frederick, SD 7.8
Plankinton High School - 01 Plankinton, SD 7.8
Philip High School - 01 Philip, SD 7.7
Ipswich High School - 01 Ipswich, SD 7.9
Burke High School - 01 Burke, SD 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ethan High School - 01

What grades does Ethan High School - 01 serve?

Ethan High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ethan High School - 01?

Ethan High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 87 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ethan High School - 01?

The student-teacher ratio at Ethan High School - 01 is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ethan High School - 01 rank in SD?

Ethan High School - 01 is ranked #103 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Ethan High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?

Ethan High School - 01 has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Ethan High School - 01?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ethan High School - 01 has 69.5% math proficiency and 90.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ethan High School - 01 a charter school?

No, Ethan High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ethan High School - 01 a Title I school?

No, Ethan High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ethan High School - 01?

16.1% of students at Ethan High School - 01 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (60/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Davison County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ethan School District 17-1
District Enrollment
291
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,901
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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