Excellent
#41 of 574 schools in SD
Top 7% in state
Harding County High School - 01
High School · Harding County School District 31-1
PO Box 367, Buffalo, SD 57720
Enrollment
62
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
62
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo
#1 of 3
public schools
South Dakota high schools
#9 of 156
In district
#1 of 3
Harding County School District 31-1
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Harding County High School - 01
Harding County High School - 01 is a public high school in Buffalo, SD, part of the Harding County School District 31-1. The school serves approximately 62 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 93rd percentile among SD schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 27% proficiency in math and 73% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $78,333, where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 62 students, Harding County 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, Harding County High School - 01 offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Harding County 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 metricsView breakdown
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Harding County High School - 01 — Students at Harding County High School - 01 score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.5/10.
How Harding County High School - 01 Compares
See how Harding County High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 69.5% (2019) to 75% (2022).
Location
PO Box 367, Buffalo, SD 57720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harding County High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Harding County Middle School - 03 (rated 7.9/10), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Buffalo Elementary - 02 (rated 5.7/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
2 within 0.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Elementary - 02 Buffalo | 0.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Harding County Middle School - 03 Buffalo | 0.0 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,333
Median Home Value
$128,800
Median Rent
$579/mo
Population
561
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
80.7%
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
53
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harding County High School - 01 has a median household income of $78,333. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,800, with a median rent of $579/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% 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 |
|---|---|
| Corsica-Stickney High School - 01 Corsica, SD | 8.5 |
| Marion High School - 01 Marion, SD | 8.2 |
| Leola High School - 01 Leola, SD | 8.7 |
| Kadoka Area High School - 01 Kadoka, SD | 8.1 |
| Kimball High School - 01 Kimball, SD | 8.1 |
| Irene - Wakonda High School - 01 Irene, SD | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harding County High School - 01
What grades does Harding County High School - 01 serve?
Harding County High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Harding County High School - 01?
Harding County High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 62 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harding County High School - 01?
The student-teacher ratio at Harding County High School - 01 is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harding County High School - 01 rank in SD?
Harding County High School - 01 is ranked #41 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Harding County High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?
Harding County High School - 01 has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Harding County High School - 01?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harding County High School - 01 has 26.7% math proficiency and 73.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harding County High School - 01 a charter school?
No, Harding County High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harding County High School - 01 a Title I school?
No, Harding County High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harding County High School - 01?
21.0% of students at Harding County 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 62
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Harding County
- Phone
- (605) 375-3241
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harding County School District 31-1- District Enrollment
- 221
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,112
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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