Very Good
#90 of 574 schools in SD
Top 16% 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
7.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo
#2 of 3
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#18 of 144
In district
#2 of 3
Harding County School District 31-1
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Harding County Middle School - 03
Harding County Middle School - 03 is a small, rural middle school located in Buffalo, South Dakota. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 58 students and three full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of about 19:1. The academic performance at Harding County Middle School - 03 is solid with 61% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 48% proficient or above in Math.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school ranks as the 145th out of 586 middle schools in South Dakota, placing it around the 75th percentile statewide. The school focuses on student development with room for academic growth, particularly in math. Harding County Middle School - 03 is situated in a remote rural area where community bonds are strong and supportive of its students' educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 58 students, Harding County Middle School - 03 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, Harding County Middle School - 03 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 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 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.1/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 64.5% (2019) to 64.5% (2022).
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. Harding County High School - 01 (rated 8.4/10), which scores slightly higher. 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 High School - 01 Buffalo | 0.0 mi | 8.4 |
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 Middle School - 03 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 |
|---|---|
| Hanson Middle School - 02 Alexandria, SD | 7.9 |
| Kadoka Middle School - 03 Kadoka, SD | 7.9 |
| Centerville Middle School - 03 Centerville, SD | 7.8 |
| Highmore Jr. High - 03 Highmore, SD | 7.8 |
| Arlington Jr. High - 03 Arlington, SD | 8.1 |
| Colome Middle School - 03 Colome, SD | 8.1 |
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 is ranked #90 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Harding County Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?
Harding County Middle School - 03 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 Harding County Middle School - 03?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harding County Middle School - 03 has 47.8% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
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
- 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
- #2 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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