Very Good
#17 of 56 private schools in SD
Top 29% of private schools
Imaculate Conception
Elementary School
109 3RD ST SE, Watertown, SD 57201
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 8 schools in Watertown. Learn more
Enrollment
162
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
162
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Watertown
#2 of 4
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#8 of 33
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Imaculate Conception
IMACULATE CONCEPTION serves 162 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Watertown, South Dakota. This elementary school stands out with an impressive 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #2 among all 56 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 98th percentile for academic performance across South Dakota. The school maintains an excellent 9.0-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 18 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention and support for each child.
This low ratio contributes significantly to the school's exceptional academic standing and creates an environment where teachers can truly know their students. Students at IMACULATE CONCEPTION come from a community where the median household income is $65,761 and the poverty rate stands at 11.2%. About one in five adults in the area holds a bachelor's degree or higher, with median home values around $213,300, reflecting a stable, working-class community.
As a regular public school, IMACULATE CONCEPTION provides comprehensive elementary education while maintaining its position as one of the state's top-performing schools. The school serves families in Watertown, a remote town in Codington County that offers a close-knit community atmosphere where educational excellence clearly thrives.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 162 students, Imaculate Conception 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 9:1, Imaculate Conception 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.
As a private school, Imaculate Conception operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Imaculate Conception compares to 7 public schools serving similar grades in Watertown, SD
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Imaculate Conception (this school) | 7.1 |
| Roosevelt Elementary - 08 | 4.4 |
| Mellette Elementary - 07 | 7.5 |
| Watertown Intermediate School - 13 | 5.8 |
| McKinley Elementary - 06 | 7.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary - 05 | 7.8 |
| Jefferson Elementary - 09 | 5.5 |
| Sunrise Colony - 15 | — |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in SD.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in SD
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
109 3RD ST SE, Watertown, SD 57201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Imaculate Conception may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Waverly-South Shore Elementary - 02 (rated 8.2/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Waverly), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lincoln Elementary - 05 (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, McKinley Elementary - 06 (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Watertown, see our Watertown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,809
Median Home Value
$223,600
Median Rent
$903/mo
Population
26,375
College Educated
21.3%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
14.1 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
39.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Imaculate Conception has a median household income of $64,809. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,600, with a median rent of $903/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City, SD | 7.1 |
| Wilmot Elementary - 02 Wilmot, SD | 7.1 |
| Arlington Elementary - 02 Arlington, SD | 7.2 |
| Challenge Center - 51 Sioux Falls, SD | 7.2 |
| Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04 North Sioux City, SD | 7.2 |
| Edgemont Elementary - 03 Edgemont, SD | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Imaculate Conception
What grades does Imaculate Conception serve?
Imaculate Conception serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Imaculate Conception?
Imaculate Conception has an enrollment of approximately 162 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Imaculate Conception?
The student-teacher ratio at Imaculate Conception is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Imaculate Conception rank in SD?
Imaculate Conception is ranked #17 out of 56 private schools in SD.
What is Imaculate Conception's MySchoolScout rating?
Imaculate Conception has a composite rating of 7.1 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.
Is Imaculate Conception a private school?
Yes, Imaculate Conception is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Imaculate Conception a religious school?
Imaculate Conception has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 162
- Gender Split
- 77% M / 23% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 6.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 162 days
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- CODINGTON
- Phone
- (605) 886-3883
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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