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Needs Improvement

#571 of 574 schools in SD

Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04

Middle School · Irene - Wakonda School District 13-3

PO Box 5, Irene, SD 57037

Enrollment

51

Student-Teacher

25.5:1

Score

2.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Irene

#2 of 2

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#143 of 144

In district

#3 of 3

Irene - Wakonda School District 13-3

About Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04

Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 is a small middle school located in the remote rural area of Irene, South Dakota, serving students from seventh to eighth grade. With an enrollment of just 51 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 25.5:1, the school offers a close-knit environment where teachers can provide individualized attention.

The academic performance is currently rated at 2.6 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking it #568 out of 586 schools in South Dakota, indicating there is room for improvement and growth. Students perform better in ELA/Reading with 44% being proficient or above compared to Math where only 28% are proficient or above. Irene - Wakonda Jr.

High focuses on student development and community involvement despite the challenges of its remote location. The school’s setting offers a unique sense of tight-knit community, supporting students in their educational journey amidst the rural beauty of Turner County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 51 students, Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 is 25.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 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 Progress2.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,868

Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 — Students at Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 Compares

See how Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.9/10
1th percentile in SD
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

PO Box 5, Irene, SD 57037

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Centerville Middle School - 03 (rated 7.8/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Centerville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Parker Jr. High - 03 (rated 6.9/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby Parker), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Viborg-Hurley Middle School - 03 (rated 6.3/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Viborg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Irene, see our Irene schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Irene - Wakonda High School - 01 Irene 0.0 mi 8.0
Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 Wakonda 6.0 mi 7.9
Viborg-Hurley Elementary - 02 Viborg 6.9 mi 4.4
Viborg-Hurley High School - 01 Viborg 6.9 mi 6.4
Cameron Colony Elementary - 04 Viborg 8.9 mi
Gayville-Volin High School - 01 Gayville 13.3 mi 6.0
Gayville-Volin Elementary - 02 Gayville 13.3 mi 5.1
Gayville-Volin Middle School - 03 Gayville 13.3 mi 5.6
Centerville Elementary - 02 Centerville 10.3 mi 8.8
Centerville High School - 01 Centerville 10.3 mi 6.6
Centerville Middle School - 03 Centerville 10.3 mi 7.8
Viborg-Hurley Middle School - 03 Viborg 13.9 mi 6.3
Yankton Middle School - 02 Yankton 17.9 mi 5.2
MISSOURI VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Yankton 17.7 mi 5.2
Stewart Elementary - 05 Yankton 18.0 mi 5.9
Beadle Elementary - 03 Yankton 18.3 mi 6.6
Parker Elementary - 02 Parker 21.5 mi 4.9
Parker High School - 01 Parker 21.5 mi 4.6
Parker Jr. High - 03 Parker 21.5 mi 6.9
Webster Elementary - 06 Yankton 18.7 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,857

Median Home Value

$143,000

Median Rent

$844/mo

Population

908

College Educated

20.3%

Homeownership

66.9%

Avg Commute

29.1 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

36.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 has a median household income of $67,857. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,000, with a median rent of $844/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Burke Middle School - 04 Burke, SD 3.0
Wilmot Middle School - 03 Wilmot, SD 3.2
New Underwood Middle School - 04 New Underwood, SD 2.5
Armour Middle School - 03 Armour, SD 3.9
Menno Middle School - 05 Menno, SD 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04

What grades does Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 serve?

Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04?

Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 51 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04?

The student-teacher ratio at Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 is 25.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 rank in SD?

Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 is ranked #571 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04's MySchoolScout rating?

Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 has a composite rating of 2.9 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 Jr. High - 04?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 has 28.0% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 a charter school?

No, Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 a Title I school?

No, Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04?

31.4% of students at Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
51
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Turner 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
#3 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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