Average
#24 of 56 private schools in SD
Top 41% of private schools
James Valley Christian School
School
1550 DAKOTA AVE N, Huron, SD 57350
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SD statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
185
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
185
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Huron
#1 of 2
public schools
South Dakota schools
#10 of 16
About James Valley Christian School
James Valley Christian School serves 185 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Huron, South Dakota. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, providing students with personalized attention in smaller classroom settings. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks 42nd among South Dakota's 56 schools.
This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to student development and educational excellence within the state's academic landscape. Located on Dakota Avenue North, James Valley Christian School sits in a stable community where the median household income reaches $61,444 and median home values average $153,200. The surrounding ZIP code area is home to nearly 16,000 residents, with 26% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 10.1%.
The comprehensive grade structure allows families to keep their children in one educational community throughout their entire K-12 journey, fostering long-term relationships and consistent academic support. The intimate enrollment size creates opportunities for students to participate in various activities and receive individualized guidance from faculty. James Valley Christian School operates in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of both small-town community values and access to broader educational and cultural opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 185 students, James Valley Christian School 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 9.8:1, James Valley Christian School 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, James Valley Christian School 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.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $12,092
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $10,794
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.89x — At Risk
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 43%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $8.1M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 185 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow James Valley Christian School compares to 9 public schools serving similar grades in Huron, SD
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| James Valley Christian School (this school) | 6.8 |
| Buchanan K-1 Center - 18 | 5.6 |
| Washington 4-5 Center - 20 | 5.5 |
| Madison 2-3 Center - 19 | 4.1 |
| Huron High School - 01 | 5.9 |
| Huron Middle School - 02 | 5.2 |
| Our Home ASAP - 12 | — |
| Our Home Rediscovery - 77 | — |
| Riverside Colony Elementary - 15 | — |
| Huron Colony Elementary - 13 | — |
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
1550 DAKOTA AVE N, Huron, SD 57350
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Valley Christian School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Woonsocket High School - 01 (rated 9.2/10, 23.2 miles away, in nearby Woonsocket), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hitchcock-Tulare Elementary - 05 (rated 8.9/10, 19.6 miles away, in nearby Hitchcock), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wolsey Wessington High School - 01 (rated 7.0/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Wolsey), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Huron, see our Huron schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Buchanan K-1 Center - 18 Huron | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Washington 4-5 Center - 20 Huron | 2.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Madison 2-3 Center - 19 Huron | 2.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Huron High School - 01 Huron | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Huron Middle School - 02 Huron | 2.9 mi | 5.2 |
| HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Huron | 3.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Our Home ASAP - 12 Huron | 4.6 mi | — |
| Our Home Rediscovery - 77 Huron | 4.6 mi | — |
| Riverside Colony Elementary - 15 Huron | 7.8 mi | — |
| Huron Colony Elementary - 13 Huron | 12.3 mi | — |
| Wolsey Wessington Middle School - 03 Wolsey | 12.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 Wolsey | 12.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Wolsey Wessington High School - 01 Wolsey | 12.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Pearl Creek Colony Elementary - 05 Iroquois | 15.2 mi | — |
| Hitchcock-Tulare Elementary - 05 Hitchcock | 19.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Woonsocket Elementary - 03 Woonsocket | 23.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Woonsocket High School - 01 Woonsocket | 23.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05 Willow Lake | 20.5 mi | — |
| Iroquois High School - 01 Iroquois | 17.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Iroquois Middle School - 02 Iroquois | 17.8 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57350 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,351
Median Home Value
$180,400
Median Rent
$840/mo
Population
16,148
College Educated
27.3%
Homeownership
68.2%
Avg Commute
12.8 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
36.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Valley Christian School has a median household income of $60,351. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,400, with a median rent of $840/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 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 |
|---|---|
| BLACK HILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spearfish, SD | 6.7 |
| ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, INC Aberdeen, SD | 7.0 |
| SIOUX FALLS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sioux Falls, SD | 7.1 |
| MITCHELL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mitchell, SD | 7.4 |
| SIOUX FALLS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sioux Falls, SD | 7.5 |
| Marty Indian School Marty, SD | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Valley Christian School
What grades does James Valley Christian School serve?
James Valley Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend James Valley Christian School?
James Valley Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 185 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Valley Christian School?
The student-teacher ratio at James Valley Christian School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does James Valley Christian School rank in SD?
James Valley Christian School is ranked #24 out of 56 private schools in SD.
What is James Valley Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Valley Christian School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 James Valley Christian School a private school?
Yes, James Valley Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is James Valley Christian School a religious school?
James Valley Christian School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,805/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Huron). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 185
- Gender Split
- 40% M / 60% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 7.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 170 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- BEADLE
- Phone
- (605) 352-7737
- 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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