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Below Average

#492 of 574 schools in SD

Florence Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Florence School District 14-1

PO Box 66, Florence, SD 57235

Enrollment

172

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Florence

#3 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#230 of 271

In district

#3 of 3

Florence School District 14-1

About Florence Elementary - 02

Florence Elementary - 02 is a charming rural elementary school nestled in the heart of Florence, South Dakota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 172 students and employs ten full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1. Located in a remote area, the school offers a close-knit community where teachers and parents work closely together to support each child's learning journey.

Academically, Florence Elementary - 02 focuses on developing foundational skills with room for growth. The MySchoolScout rating is 3.3 out of 10, placing it in the bottom tenth percentile among South Dakota schools. In reading and math proficiency tests, the school reports that 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 40% in Math, respectively.

These scores indicate areas where further academic development is needed. The remote rural setting provides a peaceful environment conducive to learning and community engagement, making Florence Elementary - 02 a central hub for education in the area.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 172 students, Florence Elementary - 02 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, Florence Elementary - 02 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 Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.5Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,492

Florence Elementary - 02 — Students at Florence Elementary - 02 score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
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
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
37%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Florence Elementary - 02 Compares

See how Florence Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
15th percentile in SD
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

PO Box 66, Florence, SD 57235

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Florence Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Waubay Elementary - 02 (rated 9.6/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Waubay), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lincoln Elementary - 05 (rated 7.8/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Watertown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McKinley Elementary - 06 (rated 7.6/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Watertown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Florence, see our Florence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Florence High School - 01 Florence 0.0 mi 6.5
Florence Middle School - 03 Florence 0.0 mi 6.6
Henry Elementary - 02 Henry 13.5 mi 4.0
Henry High School - 01 Henry 13.5 mi 6.0
Henry Middle School - 03 Henry 13.5 mi 5.1
Sunrise Colony - 15 Watertown 13.4 mi
McKinley Elementary - 06 Watertown 14.2 mi 7.6
Jefferson Elementary - 09 Watertown 14.0 mi 5.5
Mellette Elementary - 07 Watertown 14.4 mi 7.5
WATERTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watertown 14.3 mi 6.2
ST MARTINS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown 14.4 mi 5.4
GREAT PLAINS LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Watertown 14.5 mi 7.2
Watertown Middle School - 02 Watertown 14.6 mi 6.1
IMACULATE CONCEPTION Watertown 15.2 mi 7.1
Roosevelt Elementary - 08 Watertown 15.3 mi 4.4
Watertown Intermediate School - 13 Watertown 15.2 mi 5.8
Lincoln Elementary - 05 Watertown 15.2 mi 7.8
Watertown High School - 01 Watertown 15.4 mi 4.2
Waubay Elementary - 02 Waubay 19.7 mi 9.6
Waubay High School - 01 Waubay 19.7 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57235 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,938

Median Home Value

$224,200

Median Rent

$775/mo

Population

796

College Educated

18.9%

Homeownership

92%

Poverty Rate

5.2%

Median Age

47.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Florence Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $80,938. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,200, with a median rent of $775/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
American Horse School Allen, SD 4.7
Bennett County Elementary School - 03 Martin, SD 4.5
Deubrook Elementary - 03 Toronto, SD 4.5
Dupree Elementary - 02 Dupree, SD 4.5
Freeman Elementary - 02 Freeman, SD 4.9
New Underwood Elementary - 02 New Underwood, SD 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Florence Elementary - 02

What grades does Florence Elementary - 02 serve?

Florence Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Florence Elementary - 02?

Florence Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 172 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Florence Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Florence Elementary - 02 is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Florence Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Florence Elementary - 02 is ranked #492 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Florence Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Florence Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Florence Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Florence Elementary - 02 has 40.3% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Florence Elementary - 02 a charter school?

No, Florence Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Florence Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

No, Florence Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Florence Elementary - 02?

26.7% of students at Florence Elementary - 02 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
Low (133/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
172
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Codington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Florence School District 14-1
District Enrollment
332
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,425
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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