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#328 of 574 schools in SD

Garretson Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Garretson School District 49-4

PO Box C, Garretson, SD 57030

Enrollment

248

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Garretson

#1 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#156 of 271

In district

#1 of 3

Garretson School District 49-4

About Garretson Elementary - 02

Garretson Elementary - 02 is a regular public elementary school nestled in the rural community of Garretson, South Dakota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school offers a warm and welcoming environment with an enrollment of 248 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, each child receives individual attention from its 17 full-time equivalent teachers.

The academic performance at Garretson Elementary - 02 is currently ranked in the 36th percentile among South Dakota schools, indicating there's room for improvement and growth in educational outcomes. Students have shown proficiency rates of 42% in ELA/Reading and 39% in Math, which suggests a focus on continued development to enhance learning opportunities. Garretson Elementary - 02 is set in the heart of a rural area, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters strong relationships between teachers, parents, and students.

This setting encourages a supportive environment where children can thrive both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Garretson 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 Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,483

Garretson Elementary - 02 — Students at Garretson Elementary - 02 score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
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
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
42%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Garretson Elementary - 02 Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
43th percentile in SD
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

PO Box C, Garretson, SD 57030

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Garretson Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY LOVING SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Sioux Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fred Assam Elementary - 06 (rated 7.8/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Sioux Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Beaver Creek), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Garretson, see our Garretson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Garretson High School - 01 Garretson 0.0 mi 4.3
Garretson Middle School - 03 Garretson 0.0 mi 4.8
Valley Springs Elementary - 04 Valley Springs 9.2 mi 6.6
Brandon Valley High School - 01 Brandon 9.1 mi 5.8
Brandon Valley Middle School - 02 Brandon 9.0 mi 6.5
Brandon Elementary - 03 Brandon 9.3 mi 6.5
Robert Bennis Elementary - 05 Brandon 10.8 mi 6.5
Brandon Valley Intermediate - 07 Brandon 10.8 mi 6.2
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY Beaver Creek 10.1 mi 7.5
Fred Assam Elementary - 06 Sioux Falls 13.1 mi 7.8
SIOUX FALLS ADVENTIST SCHOOL Sioux Falls 14.3 mi
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY Hills 14.4 mi 7.3
CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY LOVING SCHOOL Sioux Falls 13.8 mi 8.1
Dell Rapids High School - 01 Dell Rapids 12.9 mi 6.1
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 Dell Rapids 12.9 mi 7.2
ST MARY GRADE SCHOOL Dell Rapids 12.8 mi 4.3
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dell Rapids 12.8 mi 4.1
Washington High School - 01 Sioux Falls 14.0 mi 5.2
Baltic Elementary - 02 Baltic 11.9 mi 6.1
Baltic High School - 01 Baltic 11.9 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,932

Median Home Value

$278,800

Median Rent

$731/mo

Population

2,617

College Educated

29.2%

Homeownership

79.5%

Avg Commute

26 min

Poverty Rate

1.7%

Median Age

49

Community Profile

The community surrounding Garretson Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $83,932. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $278,800, with a median rent of $731/month. The local poverty rate of 1.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Beresford Elementary - 02 Beresford, SD 6.0
Andes Central Elementary - 02 Lake Andes, SD 5.9
Baltic Elementary - 02 Baltic, SD 6.1
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City, SD 5.9
Elkton Elementary - 02 Elkton, SD 5.9
Hot Springs Elementary - 02 Hot Springs, SD 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Garretson Elementary - 02

What grades does Garretson Elementary - 02 serve?

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

How many students attend Garretson Elementary - 02?

Garretson Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 248 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Garretson Elementary - 02 is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Garretson Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Garretson Elementary - 02 is ranked #328 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Garretson Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Garretson Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Garretson Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garretson Elementary - 02 has 38.7% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Garretson Elementary - 02 a charter school?

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

Is Garretson Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

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

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

23.8% of students at Garretson 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 (97/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
248
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Minnehaha County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Garretson School District 49-4
District Enrollment
480
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,726
District Rank
#1 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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