Average
#404 of 574 schools in SD
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04
Elementary School · Clark School District 12-2
RR 1 Box 28, Carpenter, SD 57322
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
South Dakota elementary schools
#197 of 271
In district
#4 of 5
Clark School District 12-2
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Fordham Colony Elementary - 04
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 is a small rural elementary school in Carpenter, South Dakota, situated in Clark County. The school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade with an enrollment of just 42 students and three full-time equivalent teachers. With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, the setting allows for individualized attention and support.
Fordham Colony Elementary focuses on nurturing its small community, where each child receives personalized care in both academics and extracurricular activities. While academic performance currently places the school at the lower end of state rankings with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.8 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.3 out of 10, the tight-knit community fosters strong bonds between students, teachers, and families. The school is dedicated to student development and continuous improvement.
Fordham Colony Elementary is located in a remote rural area, providing a close-knit setting for its students to grow and learn together.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 42 students, Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 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.
While current test scores at Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 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
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Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 — Students at Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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 Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Compares
See how Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022).
Location
RR 1 Box 28, Carpenter, SD 57322
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Doland Elementary - 03 (rated 8.7/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Doland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clark Elementary - 02 (rated 8.0/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Clark), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 (rated 5.6/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Garden City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Carpenter, see our Carpenter schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clark Colony Elementary - 05 Raymond | 3.8 mi | — |
| Hillside Colony Elementary - 04 Doland | 7.2 mi | — |
| Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05 Willow Lake | 10.5 mi | — |
| Clark High School - 01 Clark | 11.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Clark Middle School - 03 Clark | 11.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Clark Elementary - 02 Clark | 11.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Doland Elementary - 03 Doland | 13.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Doland High School - 01 Doland | 13.1 mi | — |
| Doland Jr. High - 02 Doland | 13.1 mi | — |
| Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 Garden City | 16.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake | 16.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake | 16.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Willow Lake | 16.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake | 18.4 mi | — |
| SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois | 21.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Silver Lake Colony - 07 Clark | 16.2 mi | — |
| Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake | 17.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Camrose Colony Elementary - 06 Frankfort | 18.9 mi | — |
| Huron Colony Elementary - 13 Huron | 20.3 mi | — |
| Riverside Colony Elementary - 15 Huron | 22.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57322 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,750
Median Home Value
$118,800
Population
309
College Educated
25.4%
Homeownership
84.5%
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 has a median household income of $63,750. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,800. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois, SD | 5.4 |
| WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sioux Falls, SD | 5.3 |
| Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 Garden City, SD | 5.6 |
| Westwood Rural Elementary - 05 Britton, SD | 5.6 |
| MISSOURI VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Yankton, SD | 5.2 |
| Pleasant Valley Colony Elementary - 06 Flandreau, SD | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fordham Colony Elementary - 04
What grades does Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 serve?
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Fordham Colony Elementary - 04?
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 42 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fordham Colony Elementary - 04?
The student-teacher ratio at Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 rank in SD?
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 is ranked #404 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Fordham Colony Elementary - 04's MySchoolScout rating?
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Fordham Colony Elementary - 04?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 has 10.0% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 a charter school?
No, Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 a Title I school?
No, Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 42
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Clark County
- Phone
- (605) 532-3606
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Clark School District 12-2- District Enrollment
- 496
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,583
- District Rank
- #4 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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.
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