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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics1.7Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-47.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,483

Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 — Students at Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.0%
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
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.4/10
30th percentile in SD
Academic
1.7/10
1.7/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Clark School District 12-2
District Enrollment
496
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,583
District Rank
#4 of 5

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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