Excellent
#62 of 574 schools in SD
Top 11% in state
Based on limited data
Isna Wica Owayawa
Elementary School · Isna Wica Owayawa
PO Box 50, Oglala, SD 57764
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SD statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
272
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
272
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
South Dakota elementary schools
#37 of 271
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Isna Wica Owayawa
Isna Wica Owayawa serves 272 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Oglala, South Dakota, offering a close-knit educational environment with an 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public elementary school provides personalized attention that helps foster strong relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #119 out of 586 schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile among South Dakota schools.
This strong ranking demonstrates the school's commitment to educational excellence despite facing significant socioeconomic challenges in the surrounding community. The school serves a community where nearly half of residents live below the poverty line, with a median household income of $29,318. Only 9% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, making the school's educational mission particularly vital for opening doors to future opportunities for local families.
Isna Wica Owayawa operates in Oglala Lakota County, situated in a remote rural setting that shapes both the challenges and character of this tight-knit educational community. The school's location in this sparsely populated area of South Dakota, with just 1,968 residents in the immediate zip code, creates a unique environment where the school often serves as a central hub for the surrounding community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Isna Wica Owayawa 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
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Isna Wica Owayawa Compares
See how Isna Wica Owayawa performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 50, Oglala, SD 57764
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Isna Wica Owayawa may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GORDON-RUSHVILLE ELE-RUSHVILLE (rated 8.6/10, 36.9 miles away, in nearby Rushville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pahin Sinte Owayawa (rated 7.9/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby Porcupine), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Red Shirt School - 04 (rated 6.7/10, 32.9 miles away, in nearby Batesland), a more accessible option. For more schools in Oglala, see our Oglala schools guide .
Nearby Schools
19 within 36.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL Pine Ridge | 12.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Pine Ridge School Pine Ridge | 15.9 mi | — |
| Wounded Knee District School Manderson | 15.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Wolf Creek School - 02 Pine Ridge | 18.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Lakota Tech High School - 10 Batesland | 19.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Rockyford School - 03 Porcupine | 24.4 mi | 5.2 |
| CHADRON INTERMEDIATE Chadron | 27.3 mi | 5.0 |
| CHADRON MIDDLE SCHOOL Chadron | 28.1 mi | 6.4 |
| CHADRON PRIMARY Chadron | 28.2 mi | 5.6 |
| CHADRON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Chadron | 28.3 mi | 7.2 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES ELEMENTARY Porcupine | 22.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Pahin Sinte Owayawa Porcupine | 22.6 mi | 7.9 |
| PRAIRIE VIEW ADVENTIST SCHOOL Chadron | 28.5 mi | — |
| Oelrichs Elementary - 02 Oelrichs | 23.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Oelrichs High School - 01 Oelrichs | 23.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Oelrichs Jr. High - 03 Oelrichs | 23.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Red Shirt School - 04 Batesland | 32.9 mi | 6.7 |
| GORDON-RUSHVILLE ELE-RUSHVILLE Rushville | 36.9 mi | 8.6 |
| GORDON-RUSHVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rushville | 36.9 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57764 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$37,102
Median Home Value
$41,100
Median Rent
$582/mo
Population
2,241
College Educated
12.1%
Homeownership
59.5%
Poverty Rate
45.8%
Median Age
27.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Isna Wica Owayawa has a median household income of $37,102. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $41,100, with a median rent of $582/month. The area has a poverty rate of 45.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Westside Elementary - 03 Sisseton, SD | 8.2 |
| Faulkton Elementary - 02 Faulkton, SD | 8.3 |
| Clark Elementary - 02 Clark, SD | 8.0 |
| Clear Lake Elementary - 02 Clear Lake, SD | 8.0 |
| Colman Elementary - 03 Colman, SD | 8.0 |
| Alcester-Hudson Elementary - 04 Alcester, SD | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Isna Wica Owayawa
What grades does Isna Wica Owayawa serve?
Isna Wica Owayawa serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Isna Wica Owayawa?
Isna Wica Owayawa has an enrollment of approximately 272 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Isna Wica Owayawa?
The student-teacher ratio at Isna Wica Owayawa is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Isna Wica Owayawa rank in SD?
Isna Wica Owayawa is ranked #62 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Isna Wica Owayawa's MySchoolScout rating?
Isna Wica Owayawa has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Isna Wica Owayawa a charter school?
No, Isna Wica Owayawa is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Isna Wica Owayawa a Title I school?
No, Isna Wica Owayawa is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Isna Wica Owayawa?
98.9% of students at Isna Wica Owayawa qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 272
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Oglala Lakota County
- Phone
- (605) 867-6875
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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.
Read our full methodologyGet 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.