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Below Average

#525 of 574 schools in SD

Garretson High School - 01

High School · Garretson School District 49-4

PO Box C, Garretson, SD 57030

Enrollment

136

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

4.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Garretson

#3 of 3

public schools

South Dakota high schools

#142 of 156

In district

#3 of 3

Garretson School District 49-4

School environment

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Garretson High School - 01

Garretson High School - 01 is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Garretson, South Dakota. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 136 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1. There are 11 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education in this close-knit setting.

The academic performance at Garretson High School is currently ranked #538 out of 586 schools in South Dakota, placing it in the 8th percentile overall and with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2/10. The school's ELA proficiency rate stands at 38% for students across all grades, while math proficiency is at 28%. These scores indicate that there is room for academic growth and development.

Despite the current ratings, Garretson High School offers a supportive rural environment where teachers can provide individualized attention to each student. The school is situated in an area with a strong sense of community, making it a unique place for students to grow academically and socially. Garretson High School - 01 sits in a rural setting surrounded by the friendly community of Garretson.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 136 students, Garretson High School - 01 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.

Located in a rural area, Garretson High School - 01 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected-29.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness3.6Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,483

Garretson High School - 01 — Students at Garretson High School - 01 score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

10.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
15%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Garretson High School - 01 Compares

See how Garretson High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
9th percentile in SD
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
10%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

PO Box C, Garretson, SD 57030

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Garretson High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY (rated 7.3/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Hills), which scores notably higher. Another option is Baltic High School - 01 (rated 7.0/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Baltic), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dell Rapids High School - 01 (rated 6.1/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Dell Rapids), 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 Elementary - 02 Garretson 0.0 mi 6.0
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 High School - 01 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
Hill City High School - 01 Hill City, SD 4.3
McCook Central High School - 01 Salem, SD 4.3
Parker High School - 01 Parker, SD 4.6
Estelline High School - 01 Estelline, SD 4.8
Stanley County High School - 01 Fort Pierre, SD 4.8
Clark High School - 01 Clark, SD 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Garretson High School - 01

What grades does Garretson High School - 01 serve?

Garretson High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Garretson High School - 01?

Garretson High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 136 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Garretson High School - 01?

The student-teacher ratio at Garretson High School - 01 is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Garretson High School - 01 rank in SD?

Garretson High School - 01 is ranked #525 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Garretson High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?

Garretson High School - 01 has a composite rating of 4.3 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.

What are the test scores at Garretson High School - 01?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garretson High School - 01 has 27.8% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Garretson High School - 01 a charter school?

No, Garretson High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Garretson High School - 01 a Title I school?

No, Garretson High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garretson High School - 01?

10.3% of students at Garretson High School - 01 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
136
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
10.3%
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
#3 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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