Very Good
#190 of 574 schools in SD
Top 33% in state
Harding County Middle School - 03
Middle School · Harding County School District 31-1
PO Box 367, Buffalo, SD 57720
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Dakota schools
#190 of 574
In Buffalo
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
Harding County School District 31-1
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Excellent
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Harding County Middle School - 03
Middle School in Buffalo · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Buffalo Elementary - 02
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Harding County High School - 01
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Harding County Middle School - 03
Harding County Middle School - 03 is a public middle school in Buffalo, SD, part of Harding County School District 31-1. Harding County Middle School - 03 serves approximately 58 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Harding County Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #190 of 574 schools in SD.
Structured state assessment records for Harding County Middle School - 03 show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- SD avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
At 58 students, Harding County 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.
Harding County 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Harding County Middle School - 03 — Students at Harding County Middle School - 03 score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How Harding County Middle School - 03 Compares
See how Harding County Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 367, Buffalo, SD 57720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harding County Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Buffalo Elementary - 02 (rated 8.4/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harding County High School - 01 (rated 6.2/10), with a comparable rating. 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 | 8.4 |
| Harding County High School - 01 Buffalo | 0.0 mi | 6.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Avon Middle School - 05 Avon, SD | 7.1 |
| Colome Middle School - 03 Colome, SD | 7.1 |
| Mount Vernon Middle School - 03 Mount Vernon, SD | 7.1 |
| Chester Middle School - 03 Chester, SD | 7.0 |
| Corsica-Stickney Jr. High - 03 Corsica, SD | 7.0 |
| Freeman Jr High - 05 Freeman, SD | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harding County Middle School - 03
What grades does Harding County Middle School - 03 serve?
Harding County Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Harding County Middle School - 03?
Harding County Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 58 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harding County Middle School - 03?
The student-teacher ratio at Harding County Middle School - 03 is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harding County Middle School - 03 rank in SD?
Harding County Middle School - 03 ranks #190 of 574 schools in SD.
What is Harding County Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?
Harding County Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Harding County Middle School - 03?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Harding County Middle School - 03 has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Harding County Middle School - 03 a charter school?
No, Harding County Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harding County Middle School - 03 a Title I school?
No, Harding County Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harding County Middle School - 03?
31.0% of students at Harding County 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 58
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Harding County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.2%
- Phone
- (605) 375-3241
Resources & Links
District
Harding County School District 31-1- District Enrollment
- 221
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,112
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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