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#391 of 574 schools in SD

Groton Area Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Groton Area School District 06-6

PO Box 410, Groton, SD 57445

Enrollment

304

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Groton

#3 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#187 of 271

In district

#3 of 3

Groton Area School District 06-6

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Groton Area Elementary - 02

Groton Area Elementary - 02 is a charming elementary school located in the remote rural area of Groton, South Dakota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, this regular public school prides itself on fostering a nurturing learning environment with an enrollment of 304 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, ensuring individual attention for each child. The dedicated teaching staff includes 19 full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting the academic and social development of their students.

Academically, Groton Area Elementary - 02 ranks in the 54th percentile among South Dakota schools with a state ranking of #269 out of 586 schools. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.5/10, reflecting areas for improvement but also highlighting its strengths. In terms of proficiency scores, 65% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 59% meet these standards in math.

These numbers suggest there is room for academic growth and continued focus on student development. Groton Area Elementary - 02 sits in a rural setting with a close-knit community that values education and supports its young learners every step of the way.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Groton Area 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 Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,736

Groton Area Elementary - 02 — Students at Groton Area Elementary - 02 score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 65.3%
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
62%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
62%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Groton Area Elementary - 02 Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
32th percentile in SD
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

PO Box 410, Groton, SD 57445

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Groton Area Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. C C Lee Elementary - 05 (rated 7.8/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Aberdeen), which scores notably higher. Another option is RONCALLI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Aberdeen), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Langford Area Elementary - 02 (rated 7.5/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Langford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Groton, see our Groton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Groton Area High School - 01 Groton 0.2 mi 7.3
Groton Area Middle School - 04 Groton 0.2 mi 8.0
Hutterville Colony Elementary - 06 Stratford 13.9 mi
Newport Colony Elementary - 04 Langford 17.6 mi 6.2
Langford Area Elementary - 02 Langford 16.7 mi 7.5
Langford Area High School - 01 Langford 16.7 mi 7.8
Langford Area Middle School - 03 Langford 16.7 mi 6.6
Mike Miller Elementary - 07 Aberdeen 16.7 mi 7.0
Central High School - 01 Aberdeen 17.2 mi 6.9
New Beginnings - 89 Aberdeen 17.5 mi
RONCALLI JR & SR HIGH SCHOOL Aberdeen 18.0 mi 7.1
ABERDEEN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Aberdeen 18.0 mi 7.8
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aberdeen 18.0 mi 4.4
Holgate Middle School - 02 Aberdeen 18.1 mi 5.6
O M Tiffany Elementary - 11 Aberdeen 18.1 mi 7.0
SDSBVI Elementary - 01 Aberdeen 18.2 mi
SDSBVI High School - 02 Aberdeen 18.2 mi
May Overby Elementary - 09 Aberdeen 18.2 mi 6.6
C C Lee Elementary - 05 Aberdeen 18.3 mi 7.8
RONCALLI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Aberdeen 18.3 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57445 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,250

Median Home Value

$185,200

Median Rent

$972/mo

Population

2,033

College Educated

27.1%

Homeownership

78%

Poverty Rate

3.4%

Median Age

37.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Groton Area Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $76,250. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $185,200, with a median rent of $972/month. The local poverty rate of 3.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Endeavor Elementary - 07 Sioux Falls, SD 5.5
Jefferson Elementary - 09 Watertown, SD 5.5
Laura B. Anderson Elementary - 10 Sioux Falls, SD 5.5
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Yankton, SD 5.5
Jolley Elementary - 04 Vermillion, SD 5.7
Pinedale Elementary - 11 Rapid City, SD 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Groton Area Elementary - 02

What grades does Groton Area Elementary - 02 serve?

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

How many students attend Groton Area Elementary - 02?

Groton Area Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 304 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Groton Area Elementary - 02?

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

How does Groton Area Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Groton Area Elementary - 02 is ranked #391 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Groton Area Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Groton Area Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Groton Area Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Groton Area Elementary - 02 has 58.7% math proficiency and 65.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Groton Area Elementary - 02 a charter school?

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

Is Groton Area Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

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

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

21.1% of students at Groton Area 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 (84/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
304
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Brown County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Groton Area School District 06-6
District Enrollment
601
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,132
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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