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Very Good

#88 of 574 schools in SD

Top 15% in state

Hanson Middle School - 02

Middle School · Hanson School District 30-1

PO Box 490, Alexandria, SD 57311

Enrollment

75

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

7.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Alexandria

#1 of 4

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#17 of 144

In district

#1 of 4

Hanson School District 30-1

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Hanson Middle School - 02

Hanson Middle School - 02 serves 75 students in grades 6 through 8 in Alexandria, South Dakota, offering a small-school environment with a favorable 15:1 student-teacher ratio and 5 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 94th out of 586 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 84th percentile. The school's academic achievements are particularly noteworthy, with an impressive 8.9 out of 10 academic score.

Students show solid proficiency in core subjects, with 72% performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 62% meet or exceed proficiency standards in Mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality education in a close-knit setting where teachers can give individual attention to students. The surrounding community in ZIP code 57311 is characterized by economic stability, with a median household income of $93,750 and median home values of $173,700.

The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 3.1% among its 1,699 residents, though only 20% hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Hanson Middle School - 02 operates in Hanson County's remote rural landscape, providing educational opportunities in South Dakota's peaceful countryside setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 75 students, Hanson Middle School - 02 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, Hanson Middle School - 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 Progress8.5Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+17.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment5.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,965

Hanson Middle School - 02 — Students at Hanson Middle School - 02 score 67% 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

22.7%

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

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
72%
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: 8.5/10.

How Hanson Middle School - 02 Compares

See how Hanson Middle School - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
85th percentile in SD
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

PO Box 490, Alexandria, SD 57311

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hanson Middle School - 02 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ethan Jr. High - 03 (rated 7.4/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Ethan), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Bridgewater-Emery Middle School - 04 (rated 7.2/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Emery), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Alexandria, see our Alexandria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Hanson High School - 01 Alexandria 0.0 mi 7.6
Hanson Elementary - 06 Alexandria 0.0 mi 7.3
Millbrook Colony Elementary - 04 Alexandria 4.4 mi
Hanson Colony Alternative High School - 07 Alexandria 4.4 mi
Rosedale Colony Elementary - 11 Mitchell 4.9 mi
Rockport Colony Elementary- 10 Alexandria 9.3 mi
Oaklane Colony Elementary - 05 Alexandria 10.3 mi 4.3
Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 Parkston 11.0 mi 7.3
New Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 08 Ethan 11.8 mi
Bridgewater-Emery High School - 01 Emery 9.2 mi 5.6
Bridgewater-Emery Middle School - 04 Emery 9.2 mi 7.2
Ethan Elementary - 02 Ethan 12.6 mi 7.5
Ethan High School - 01 Ethan 12.6 mi 7.8
Ethan Jr. High - 03 Ethan 12.6 mi 7.4
Longfellow Elementary - 05 Mitchell 12.0 mi 8.8
Mitchell High School - 01 Mitchell 12.3 mi 6.4
Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary - 04 Mitchell 12.8 mi 6.3
Abbott House High School - 07 Mitchell 12.6 mi 4.1
Abbott House Elementary - 06 Mitchell 12.6 mi
L. B. Williams Elementary - 03 Mitchell 12.6 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57311 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,432

Median Home Value

$191,900

Median Rent

$729/mo

Population

1,509

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

86.7%

Poverty Rate

1.1%

Median Age

37.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hanson Middle School - 02 has a median household income of $99,432. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $191,900, with a median rent of $729/month. The local poverty rate of 1.1% 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
Harding County Middle School - 03 Buffalo, SD 7.9
Kadoka Middle School - 03 Kadoka, SD 7.9
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Sioux Falls, SD 8.0
Centerville Middle School - 03 Centerville, SD 7.8
Howard Jr. High - 05 Howard, SD 8.1
Alcester-Hudson Jr. High - 03 Alcester, SD 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hanson Middle School - 02

What grades does Hanson Middle School - 02 serve?

Hanson Middle School - 02 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Hanson Middle School - 02?

Hanson Middle School - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 75 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hanson Middle School - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Hanson Middle School - 02 is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hanson Middle School - 02 rank in SD?

Hanson Middle School - 02 is ranked #88 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Hanson Middle School - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Hanson Middle School - 02 has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Hanson Middle School - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hanson Middle School - 02 has 58.7% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hanson Middle School - 02 a charter school?

No, Hanson Middle School - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hanson Middle School - 02 a Title I school?

No, Hanson Middle School - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hanson Middle School - 02?

22.7% of students at Hanson Middle School - 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

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
75
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Hanson County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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