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Very Good

#145 of 574 schools in SD

Top 25% in state

Ethan Jr. High - 03

Middle School · Ethan School District 17-1

PO Box 169, Ethan, SD 57334

Enrollment

43

Student-Teacher

21.5:1

Score

7.4

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ethan

#3 of 3

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#30 of 144

In district

#3 of 3

Ethan School District 17-1

Academic performance

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Ethan Jr. High - 03

Ethan Jr. High - 03 serves 43 students in grades 7 through 8 in this small rural South Dakota community. With just 2 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.5:1, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive personalized attention.

The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranking #105 out of 586 schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile. Students excel in both core subjects, with 74% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 74% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics. This consistent performance across subjects reflects the school's commitment to well-rounded academic preparation.

The surrounding community of Ethan supports education within a stable economic environment. The area has a median household income of $64,844 and a median home value of $156,300, with a poverty rate of 12.9%. About 26% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, contributing to a community that values educational achievement.

Located in rural Davison County with a ZIP code population of 809, Ethan Jr. High operates within a close-knit agricultural community where students benefit from small-town values and strong community connections.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 43 students, Ethan Jr. High - 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Ethan Jr. High - 03 is 21.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Ethan Jr. High - 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 Progress9.0Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.7Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5%
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+25.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,783

Ethan Jr. High - 03 — Students at Ethan Jr. High - 03 score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.8%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Ethan Jr. High - 03 Compares

See how Ethan Jr. High - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
75th percentile in SD
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

PO Box 169, Ethan, SD 57334

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ethan Jr. High - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mitchell Middle School - 02 (rated 7.2/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Mitchell), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Parkston Middle School - 05 (rated 5.3/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Parkston), 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 High School - 01 Ethan 0.0 mi 7.8
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 Jr. High - 03 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
Andes Central Middle School - 04 Lake Andes, SD 7.5
Herreid Middle School - 03 Herreid, SD 7.5
Newell Middle School - 04 Newell, SD 7.6
Alcester-Hudson Jr. High - 03 Alcester, SD 7.7
Wakpala Middle School - 04 Wakpala, SD 7.7
Edmunds Central Middle School - 02 Roscoe, SD 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ethan Jr. High - 03

What grades does Ethan Jr. High - 03 serve?

Ethan Jr. High - 03 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Ethan Jr. High - 03?

Ethan Jr. High - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 43 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ethan Jr. High - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Ethan Jr. High - 03 is 21.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ethan Jr. High - 03 rank in SD?

Ethan Jr. High - 03 is ranked #145 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Ethan Jr. High - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Ethan Jr. High - 03 has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Jr. High - 03?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ethan Jr. High - 03 has 67.8% math proficiency and 67.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ethan Jr. High - 03 a charter school?

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

Is Ethan Jr. High - 03 a Title I school?

No, Ethan Jr. High - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ethan Jr. High - 03?

23.3% of students at Ethan Jr. High - 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
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
7th – 8th
Enrollment
43
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.3%
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
#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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