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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.6Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+12.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,270

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.2%
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
34.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.9/10
85th percentile in SD
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

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.

3 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harding County School District 31-1
District Enrollment
221
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,112
District Rank
#2 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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