Below Average
#469 of 574 schools in SD
High Plains - 06
High School · Chester Area School District 39-1
PO Box 159, Chester, SD 57016
Enrollment
61
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
61
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chester
#5 of 6
public schools
South Dakota high schools
#131 of 156
In district
#5 of 6
Chester Area School District 39-1
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About High Plains - 06
High Plains - 06 is an alternative high school located in Chester, South Dakota, in the rural setting of Lake County. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 61 students, providing a close-knit and supportive educational environment. While specific student-teacher ratio data isn't available, High Plains - 06 is designed to offer personalized attention and alternative pathways for learning.
Academically, High Plains - 06 ranks in the lower end compared to other schools in South Dakota, with an overall MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #536 out of 586 schools. Students at High Plains - 06 show proficiency rates of 25% in both ELA/Reading and Math, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development and improvement. High Plains - 06 offers an educational setting that caters to students seeking alternative approaches to traditional high school environments, providing a supportive community for those who may need additional academic or social support.
The rural location of Chester provides a quiet, small-town feel that can be nurturing for its diverse group of learners.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 61 students, High Plains - 06 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.
While current test scores at High Plains - 06 are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, High Plains - 06 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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High Plains - 06 — Students at High Plains - 06 score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
9.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 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: 7.2/10.
How High Plains - 06 Compares
See how High Plains - 06 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2021) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2021) to 25% (2022).
Location
PO Box 159, Chester, SD 57016
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering High Plains - 06 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Colman-Egan High School - 01 (rated 8.1/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Colman), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tri-Valley High School - 01 (rated 7.7/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Colton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chester High School - 01 (rated 6.5/10), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chester, see our Chester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Chester High School - 01 Chester | 0.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Chester Elementary -02 Chester | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Chester Middle School - 03 Chester | 0.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Chester Area Cyber School - 92 Chester | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Colman-Egan High School - 01 Colman | 8.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Colman-Egan Jr. High - 02 Colman | 8.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Colman Elementary - 03 Colman | 8.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Tri-Valley High School - 01 Colton | 11.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Tri-Valley Intermediate School - 03 Colton | 11.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Tri-Valley Elementary in Colton - 02 Colton | 11.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Chester | 8.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Madison Middle School - 02 Madison | 11.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Madison High School - 01 Madison | 11.8 mi | 3.4 |
| ST THOMAS SCHOOL Madison | 11.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Dell Rapids Elementary - 02 Dell Rapids | 11.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Madison Elementary - 07 Madison | 12.5 mi | 5.3 |
| MADISON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison | 12.1 mi | — |
| ST MARY GRADE SCHOOL Dell Rapids | 12.2 mi | 4.3 |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dell Rapids | 12.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Dell Rapids High School - 01 Dell Rapids | 12.2 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$92,125
Median Home Value
$225,600
Median Rent
$1,107/mo
Population
680
College Educated
31.4%
Homeownership
90.5%
Poverty Rate
1.2%
Median Age
51.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding High Plains - 06 has a median household income of $92,125. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $225,600, with a median rent of $1,107/month. The local poverty rate of 1.2% 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 |
|---|---|
| Waubay High School - 01 Waubay, SD | 5.0 |
| Bowdle High School - 01 Bowdle, SD | 5.1 |
| Wilmot High School - 01 Wilmot, SD | 5.2 |
| Rapid City Online High School - 92 Rapid City, SD | 5.5 |
| Oelrichs High School - 01 Oelrichs, SD | 5.6 |
| Sully Buttes High School - 07 Onida, SD | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about High Plains - 06
What grades does High Plains - 06 serve?
High Plains - 06 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend High Plains - 06?
High Plains - 06 has an enrollment of approximately 61 students.
How does High Plains - 06 rank in SD?
High Plains - 06 is ranked #469 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is High Plains - 06's MySchoolScout rating?
High Plains - 06 has a composite rating of 4.9 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 High Plains - 06?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, High Plains - 06 has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is High Plains - 06 a charter school?
No, High Plains - 06 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is High Plains - 06 a Title I school?
No, High Plains - 06 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for High Plains - 06?
9.8% of students at High Plains - 06 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
- County Safety
- Low (145/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 61
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 9.8%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (605) 489-2411
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chester Area School District 39-1- District Enrollment
- 542
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,311
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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.
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