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Very Good

#94 of 574 schools in SD

Top 16% in state

Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Irene - Wakonda School District 13-3

PO Box 268, Wakonda, SD 57073

Enrollment

161

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota elementary schools

#52 of 271

In district

#2 of 3

Irene - Wakonda School District 13-3

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02

Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 is a small, rural elementary school located in the heart of Clay County, South Dakota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 161 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers. Set in a remote area, Irene - Wakonda Elementary focuses on providing a nurturing environment for young learners.

The school's academic performance reflects its commitment to educational development, though there is room for improvement according to state rankings and test scores. The MySchoolScout rating of 6.2/10 places the school at the 65th percentile among South Dakota schools, with an academic score of 5.7/10. In reading and math, proficiency rates are 47% and 42%, respectively, indicating areas where additional support could benefit students.

Despite its modest performance metrics, Irene - Wakonda Elementary offers a close-knit community setting that values personal growth and individual attention for each child. The school is deeply embedded in the rural landscape of South Dakota, providing students with unique opportunities to connect with their natural surroundings while pursuing academic goals.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 161 students, Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 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, Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 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 Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.8Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,868

Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 — Students at Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
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
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
47%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 Compares

See how Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
84th percentile in SD
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

PO Box 268, Wakonda, SD 57073

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Centerville Elementary - 02 (rated 8.8/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Centerville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Austin Elementary - 03 (rated 5.8/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Vermillion), a more accessible option. Additionally, Jolley Elementary - 04 (rated 5.7/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Vermillion), a more accessible option. For more schools in Wakonda, see our Wakonda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 Irene 6.0 mi 2.9
Irene - Wakonda High School - 01 Irene 6.0 mi 8.0
Gayville-Volin High School - 01 Gayville 8.3 mi 6.0
Gayville-Volin Elementary - 02 Gayville 8.3 mi 5.1
Gayville-Volin Middle School - 03 Gayville 8.3 mi 5.6
Viborg-Hurley Elementary - 02 Viborg 11.5 mi 4.4
Viborg-Hurley High School - 01 Viborg 11.5 mi 6.4
Centerville Elementary - 02 Centerville 11.0 mi 8.8
Centerville High School - 01 Centerville 11.0 mi 6.6
Centerville Middle School - 03 Centerville 11.0 mi 7.8
Cameron Colony Elementary - 04 Viborg 14.8 mi
WYNOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wynot 18.4 mi 3.6
WYNOT HIGH SCHOOL Wynot 18.4 mi 4.9
WYNOT MIDDLE SCHOOL Wynot 18.4 mi 5.7
Viborg-Hurley Middle School - 03 Viborg 19.2 mi 6.3
Vermillion Middle School - 02 Vermillion 17.6 mi 5.0
Austin Elementary - 03 Vermillion 17.8 mi 5.8
Jolley Elementary - 04 Vermillion 18.4 mi 5.7
Yankton Middle School - 02 Yankton 16.0 mi 5.2
Vermillion High School - 01 Vermillion 18.6 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57073 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,893

Median Home Value

$113,700

Median Rent

$644/mo

Population

516

College Educated

32.3%

Homeownership

83.3%

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

49.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $70,893. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,700, with a median rent of $644/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Pahin Sinte Owayawa Porcupine, SD 7.9
SACRED HEART MIDDLE SCHOOL - Yankton, SD 7.9
Clark Elementary - 02 Clark, SD 8.0
Colman Elementary - 03 Colman, SD 8.0
Pierre Indian Learning Center Pierre, SD 8.0
RONCALLI PRIMARY SCHOOL Aberdeen, SD 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02

What grades does Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 serve?

Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02?

Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 161 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 is ranked #94 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 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 Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 has 42.0% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 a charter school?

No, Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

No, Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02?

32.3% of students at Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (145/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Clay County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Irene - Wakonda School District 13-3
District Enrollment
290
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,724
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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