Skip to main content

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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Imaculate Conception compares to 7 public schools serving similar grades in Watertown, SD

Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
This School
vs
14.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
162
This School
vs
269
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.1
This School
vs
6.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 87.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.1% vs 0%
Black 2.5% vs 0%
Asian 1.2% vs 0%
Imaculate Conception Watertown Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 7.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,053
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 23%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 162
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)

White 87.7%
Two or More 5.6%
Hispanic 3.1%
Black 2.5%
Asian 1.2%

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Roosevelt Elementary - 08 Watertown 0.2 mi 4.4
Mellette Elementary - 07 Watertown 0.8 mi 7.5
Watertown High School - 01 Watertown 0.7 mi 4.2
Watertown Intermediate School - 13 Watertown 0.9 mi 5.8
ST MARTINS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown 1.2 mi 5.4
WATERTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watertown 1.3 mi 6.2
GREAT PLAINS LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Watertown 1.3 mi 7.2
Lincoln Elementary - 05 Watertown 1.3 mi 7.8
Jefferson Elementary - 09 Watertown 1.7 mi 5.5
McKinley Elementary - 06 Watertown 1.2 mi 7.6
Watertown Middle School - 02 Watertown 1.8 mi 6.1
Waverly-South Shore Elementary - 02 Waverly 9.9 mi 8.2
Waverly-South Shore High School - 01 Waverly 9.9 mi 6.8
Waverly-South Shore Middle School - 03 Waverly 9.9 mi 5.6
Castlewood Elementary - 02 Castlewood 12.6 mi 5.4
Castlewood High School - 01 Castlewood 12.6 mi 7.8
Castlewood Middle School - 03 Castlewood 12.6 mi 4.4
Claremont Colony Elementary - 04 Castlewood 15.1 mi
Florence Elementary - 02 Florence 15.2 mi 4.7
Florence High School - 01 Florence 15.2 mi 6.5

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
83 Very Walkable
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,332/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watertown). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.