Needs Improvement

#537 of 574 schools in SD

Florence Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Florence School District 14-1

PO Box 66, Florence, SD 57235

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

172

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Enrollment

172

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#537 of 574

In Florence

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Florence School District 14-1

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Florence Elementary - 02?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Read rating Nearby schools

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Elementary School in Florence · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Florence Elementary - 02

Florence Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in Florence, SD, part of Florence School District 14-1. Florence Elementary - 02 serves approximately 172 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Florence Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #537 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Florence Elementary - 02 show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.6 pts below SD schools

3.5

This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
SD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 172 students, Florence Elementary - 02 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Florence Elementary - 02 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-4.38 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics4.5Below Average30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected-8.7 pts

Adjusted Percentile26th

Resources & Environment5.3Average20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1

Per-Pupil Spending$11,425

Chronic Absenteeism6.4%

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 53.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 52.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009

Math

87%

ELA

82%

2010

Math

87%

ELA

82%

2011

Math

84.5%

ELA

84.5%

2012

Math

84.5%

ELA

84.5%

2014

Math

32%

ELA

47%

2015

Math

37%

ELA

42%

2016

Math

34.5%

ELA

34.5%

2017

Math

54.5%

ELA

44.5%

2018

Math

42%

ELA

47%

2019

Math

42%

ELA

47%

2020*

Math

37%

ELA

27%

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: 2.2/10.

How Florence Elementary - 02 Compares

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

Overall Score

3.5/10

7th percentile in SD

Academic

4.5/10

Below Average

Growth

2.2/10

Needs Improvement

Environment

5.3/10

Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

27%

Teaching Staff

17:1 student-teacher ratio

10 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

6.4%

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 8.4/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Waubay), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lincoln Elementary - 05 (rated 8.0/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Watertown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mellette Elementary - 07 (rated 7.5/10, 14.4 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	Enrollment	Rating
Florence High School - 01 Florence	0.0 mi	95	8.8
Florence Middle School - 03 Florence	0.0 mi	65	5.9
Henry Elementary - 02 Henry	13.5 mi	93	4.5
Henry High School - 01 Henry	13.5 mi	54	6.1
Henry Middle School - 03 Henry	13.5 mi	53	4.1
Sunrise Colony - 15 Watertown	13.4 mi	17	—
McKinley Elementary - 06 Watertown	14.2 mi	255	6.9
Jefferson Elementary - 09 Watertown	14.0 mi	332	5.4
Mellette Elementary - 07 Watertown	14.4 mi	235	7.5
WATERTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watertown	14.3 mi	60	6.2
ST MARTINS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown	14.4 mi	123	5.4
GREAT PLAINS LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Watertown	14.5 mi	133	7.2
Watertown Middle School - 02 Watertown	14.6 mi	587	6.2
IMACULATE CONCEPTION Watertown	15.2 mi	162	7.1
Roosevelt Elementary - 08 Watertown	15.3 mi	148	4.2
Watertown Intermediate School - 13 Watertown	15.2 mi	556	7.6
Lincoln Elementary - 05 Watertown	15.2 mi	338	8.0
Watertown High School - 01 Watertown	15.4 mi	1,222	5.9
Waubay Elementary - 02 Waubay	19.7 mi	77	8.4
Waubay High School - 01 Waubay	19.7 mi	68	5.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Dupree Elementary - 02 Dupree, SD	207	3.4
McCook Central Elementary - 02 Salem, SD	208	3.6
Bennett County Elementary School - 03 Martin, SD	229	3.8
Enemy Swim Day School Waubay, SD	156	3.8
McLaughlin Elementary - 02 Mclaughlin, SD	209	3.8
Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Elementary School Stephan, SD	142	3.9

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 ranks #537 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Florence Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Florence Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Florence Elementary - 02?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Florence Elementary - 02 has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.