Average

#383 of 574 schools in SD

Garretson Middle School - 03

Middle School · Garretson School District 49-4

PO Box C, Garretson, SD 57030

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

5.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

5.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#383 of 574

In Garretson

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Garretson School District 49-4

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Middle School in Garretson · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Garretson Middle School - 03

Garretson Middle School - 03 is a public middle school in Garretson, SD, part of Garretson School District 49-4. Garretson Middle School - 03 serves approximately 97 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Garretson Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #383 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Garretson Middle School - 03 show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below SD schools

5.4

This school 5.4 · Average
SD avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 97 students, Garretson Middle School - 03 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Garretson Middle School - 03 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress4.0Below Average40%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-3.44 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics5.4Average35%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected-6.4 pts

Adjusted Percentile36th

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good25%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1

Per-Pupil Spending$11,726

Chronic Absenteeism6.2%

Garretson Middle School - 03 — Students at Garretson Middle School - 03 score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 65.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009

Math

92%

ELA

87%

2010

Math

87%

ELA

82%

2011

Math

87%

ELA

87%

2012

Math

82%

ELA

82%

2014

Math

27%

ELA

42%

2015

Math

27%

ELA

52%

2016

Math

32%

ELA

57%

2017

Math

47%

ELA

67%

2018

Math

47%

ELA

67%

2019

Math

47%

ELA

67%

2020*

Math

37%

ELA

57%

2021*

Math

37%

ELA

57%

2022

Math

37%

ELA

52%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Garretson Middle School - 03 Compares

See how Garretson Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

5.4/10

33th percentile in SD

Academic

5.4/10

Average

Growth

4.0/10

Below Average

Environment

7.8/10

Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

19%

Teaching Staff

14:1 student-teacher ratio

7 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

6.2%

Location

PO Box C, Garretson, SD 57030

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Garretson Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Brandon Valley Intermediate - 07 (rated 8.1/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Brandon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 (rated 7.8/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Dell Rapids), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brandon Valley Middle School - 02 (rated 7.2/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Brandon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Garretson, see our Garretson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.9 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Garretson Elementary - 02 Garretson	0.0 mi	248	4.5
Garretson High School - 01 Garretson	0.0 mi	136	4.2
Valley Springs Elementary - 04 Valley Springs	9.2 mi	67	9.3
Brandon Valley High School - 01 Brandon	9.1 mi	1,356	6.8
Brandon Valley Middle School - 02 Brandon	9.0 mi	719	7.2
Brandon Elementary - 03 Brandon	9.3 mi	681	7.7
Robert Bennis Elementary - 05 Brandon	10.8 mi	562	7.0
Brandon Valley Intermediate - 07 Brandon	10.8 mi	785	8.1
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY Beaver Creek	10.1 mi	155	9.2
Fred Assam Elementary - 06 Sioux Falls	13.1 mi	499	7.7
SIOUX FALLS ADVENTIST SCHOOL Sioux Falls	14.3 mi	5	—
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY Hills	14.4 mi	199	8.6
CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY LOVING SCHOOL Sioux Falls	13.8 mi	81	8.1
Dell Rapids High School - 01 Dell Rapids	12.9 mi	314	6.7
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 Dell Rapids	12.9 mi	280	7.8
ST MARY GRADE SCHOOL Dell Rapids	12.8 mi	233	4.3
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dell Rapids	12.8 mi	233	4.1
Washington High School - 01 Sioux Falls	14.0 mi	1,859	5.3
Baltic Elementary - 02 Baltic	11.9 mi	304	5.9
Baltic High School - 01 Baltic	11.9 mi	161	7.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Parkston Middle School - 05 Parkston, SD	90	5.4
Parker Jr. High - 03 Parker, SD	69	5.5
Stanley County Middle School - 02 Fort Pierre, SD	97	5.5
Castlewood Middle School - 03 Castlewood, SD	73	5.3
Scotland Middle School - 05 Scotland, SD	83	5.2
Elkton Jr. High - 03 Elkton, SD	82	5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Garretson Middle School - 03

What grades does Garretson Middle School - 03 serve?

Garretson Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Garretson Middle School - 03?

Garretson Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 97 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Garretson Middle School - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Garretson Middle School - 03 is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Garretson Middle School - 03 rank in SD?

Garretson Middle School - 03 ranks #383 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Garretson Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Garretson Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Garretson Middle School - 03?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Garretson Middle School - 03 has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Garretson Middle School - 03 a charter school?

No, Garretson Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Garretson Middle School - 03 a Title I school?

No, Garretson Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garretson Middle School - 03?

18.6% of students at Garretson Middle School - 03 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.