Skip to main content

Excellent

#2 of 56 private schools in SD

Top 2% of private schools

Freeman Academy

School

748 S MAIN, Freeman, SD 57029

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SD statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

73

Student-Teacher

6.9:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#2 of 16

About Freeman Academy

Freeman Academy serves 73 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in the small community of Freeman, South Dakota. This regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.9:1 with 11 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking 10th out of 56 schools statewide and placing in the 84th percentile across South Dakota.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10, Freeman Academy demonstrates strong educational outcomes for its student body. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $70,938 and median home values are $163,400. About 23% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 15.1%.

The zip code area has a population of 2,330, reflecting the close-knit nature of this rural community. As a comprehensive K-12 institution, Freeman Academy offers continuity of education from early childhood through high school graduation, which can be particularly valuable in smaller communities where students build lasting relationships with teachers and classmates. The school operates in a remote rural setting, serving families throughout the Hutchinson County area who value small-school education and community connections.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 73 students, Freeman Academy 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.9:1, Freeman Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Freeman Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Freeman Academy compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in Freeman, SD

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.9:1
This School
vs
15.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
73
This School
vs
85
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.3
This School
vs
5.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 84.9% vs 0%
Black 6.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 5.5% vs 0%
Asian 1.4% vs 0%
Freeman Academy Freeman Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Freeman Academy (this school) 8.3
Freeman Jr High - 05 6.2
Freeman High School - 01 5.3
Freeman Elementary - 02 4.9
Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04 6.6
Tschetter Colony Elementary - 03 4.7

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in SD.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,362.9
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 25%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 73
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in SD

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 84.9%
Black 6.8%
Hispanic 5.5%
Asian 1.4%
Native American 1.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

748 S MAIN, Freeman, SD 57029

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Freeman Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Marion Middle School - 03 (rated 8.3/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Marion), with a very similar rating. Another option is Marion High School - 01 (rated 8.2/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Marion), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Canistota High School - 01 (rated 8.1/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Canistota), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Freeman, see our Freeman schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Freeman High School - 01 Freeman 0.4 mi 5.3
Freeman Jr High - 05 Freeman 0.4 mi 6.2
Freeman Elementary - 02 Freeman 0.4 mi 4.9
Menno Elementary - 02 Menno 10.4 mi 6.1
Menno High School - 01 Menno 10.4 mi 6.3
Menno Middle School - 05 Menno 10.4 mi 4.4
Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04 Freeman 9.2 mi 6.6
Marion Elementary - 02 Marion 10.4 mi 6.1
Marion High School - 01 Marion 10.4 mi 8.2
Marion Middle School - 03 Marion 10.4 mi 8.3
Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 Bridgewater 14.6 mi 7.8
Cameron Colony Elementary - 04 Viborg 14.0 mi
Jamesville Colony Elementary - 03 Menno 17.0 mi
Tschetter Colony Elementary - 03 Freeman 12.7 mi 4.7
Maxwell Colony Elementary - 04 Menno 15.0 mi 3.8
Canistota Elementary - 02 Canistota 18.7 mi 5.6
Canistota High School - 01 Canistota 18.7 mi 8.1
Canistota Middle School - 03 Canistota 18.7 mi 5.1
Parker Elementary - 02 Parker 15.3 mi 4.9
Parker High School - 01 Parker 15.3 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57029 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,321

Median Home Value

$183,700

Median Rent

$803/mo

Population

2,317

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

81.5%

Avg Commute

18.9 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Freeman Academy has a median household income of $77,321. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,700, with a median rent of $803/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
SUNSHINE BIBLE ACADEMY Miller, SD 8.4
DAKOTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Corsica, SD 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Freeman Academy

What grades does Freeman Academy serve?

Freeman Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Freeman Academy?

Freeman Academy has an enrollment of approximately 73 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Freeman Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Freeman Academy is 6.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Freeman Academy rank in SD?

Freeman Academy is ranked #2 out of 56 private schools in SD.

What is Freeman Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Freeman Academy has a composite rating of 8.3 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.

Is Freeman Academy a private school?

Yes, Freeman Academy is a private coeducational school with a Mennonite affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Freeman Academy a religious school?

Freeman Academy has a Mennonite religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
73
Gender Split
79% M / 21% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Mennonite
School Day
7.7 hours
Days Per Year
177 days
Setting
Remote Rural
County
HUTCHINSON
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.