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Excellent

#75 of 574 schools in SD

Top 13% in state

Groton Area Middle School - 04

Middle School · Groton Area School District 06-6

PO Box 410, Groton, SD 57445

Enrollment

126

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

8.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Groton

#1 of 3

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#16 of 144

In district

#1 of 3

Groton Area School District 06-6

Academic performance

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Groton Area Middle School - 04

Groton Area Middle School serves 126 students in grades 6-8 in the small community of Groton, South Dakota. This regular public school maintains a favorable 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 9 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students receive personalized attention. Academically, the school performs impressively, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking 64th out of 586 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile.

Students demonstrate strong proficiency rates, with 72% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and Reading, and 62% achieving proficiency in Mathematics. These results reflect the school's solid academic foundation and commitment to student achievement. The school serves a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $81,964 and the poverty rate remains low at just 4.2%.

With median home values around $173,700, the area represents an affordable place for families to establish roots. While 21% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community values education and supports its local schools. Groton Area Middle School operates in a remote rural setting within Brown County, offering students the benefits of small-town education with close community connections and individualized learning opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 126 students, Groton Area Middle School - 04 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, Groton Area Middle School - 04 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 Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,736

Groton Area Middle School - 04 — Students at Groton Area Middle School - 04 score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.3%
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
57%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
72%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Groton Area Middle School - 04 Compares

See how Groton Area Middle School - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
87th percentile in SD
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

PO Box 410, Groton, SD 57445

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Groton Area Middle School - 04 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Langford Area Middle School - 03 (rated 6.6/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Langford), a more accessible option. Additionally, Holgate Middle School - 02 (rated 5.6/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Aberdeen), a more accessible option. For more schools in Groton, see our Groton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Groton Area High School - 01 Groton 0.0 mi 7.3
Groton Area Elementary - 02 Groton 0.2 mi 5.5
Hutterville Colony Elementary - 06 Stratford 13.7 mi
Newport Colony Elementary - 04 Langford 17.8 mi 6.2
Langford Area Elementary - 02 Langford 16.8 mi 7.5
Langford Area High School - 01 Langford 16.8 mi 7.8
Langford Area Middle School - 03 Langford 16.8 mi 6.6
Mike Miller Elementary - 07 Aberdeen 16.7 mi 7.0
Central High School - 01 Aberdeen 17.3 mi 6.9
New Beginnings - 89 Aberdeen 17.5 mi
RONCALLI JR & SR HIGH SCHOOL Aberdeen 18.1 mi 7.1
ABERDEEN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Aberdeen 18.1 mi 7.8
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aberdeen 18.1 mi 4.4
Holgate Middle School - 02 Aberdeen 18.2 mi 5.6
O M Tiffany Elementary - 11 Aberdeen 18.2 mi 7.0
SDSBVI Elementary - 01 Aberdeen 18.3 mi
SDSBVI High School - 02 Aberdeen 18.3 mi
May Overby Elementary - 09 Aberdeen 18.3 mi 6.6
C C Lee Elementary - 05 Aberdeen 18.4 mi 7.8
RONCALLI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Aberdeen 18.4 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 Middle School - 04 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
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Sioux Falls, SD 8.0
Lead-Deadwood Middle School - 02 Lead, SD 7.8
ST JOSEPH INDIAN SCHOOL Chamberlain, SD 7.7
Gregory Junior High - 04 Gregory, SD 8.3
Kimball Middle School - 04 Kimball, SD 8.4
Platte - Geddes Jr. High - 03 Platte, SD 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Groton Area Middle School - 04

What grades does Groton Area Middle School - 04 serve?

Groton Area Middle School - 04 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Groton Area Middle School - 04?

Groton Area Middle School - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 126 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Groton Area Middle School - 04?

The student-teacher ratio at Groton Area Middle School - 04 is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Groton Area Middle School - 04 rank in SD?

Groton Area Middle School - 04 is ranked #75 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Groton Area Middle School - 04's MySchoolScout rating?

Groton Area Middle School - 04 has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Groton Area Middle School - 04?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Groton Area Middle School - 04 has 58.7% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Groton Area Middle School - 04 a charter school?

No, Groton Area Middle School - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Groton Area Middle School - 04 a Title I school?

No, Groton Area Middle School - 04 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Groton Area Middle School - 04?

17.5% of students at Groton Area Middle School - 04 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

Walk Score
41 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (84/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
126
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.5%
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
#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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