Skip to main content

Average

#388 of 574 schools in SD

Jefferson Elementary - 09

Elementary School · Watertown School District 14-4

1701 N Maple St, Watertown, SD 57201

Enrollment

332

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#388 of 574

In Watertown

#7 of 8

public schools

In district

#7 of 8

Watertown School District 14-4

Academic performance

7.5 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Jefferson Elementary - 09?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Jefferson Elementary - 09

5.4/10

Elementary School in Watertown · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Watertown Christian School

6.2/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St Martins Lutheran School

5.4/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Jefferson Elementary - 09

Jefferson Elementary - 09 is a public elementary school in Watertown, SD, part of Watertown School District 14-4. Jefferson Elementary - 09 serves approximately 332 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson Elementary - 09 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #388 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Jefferson Elementary - 09 show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • SD avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,402
Chronic Absenteeism2.4%

Jefferson Elementary - 09 — Students at Jefferson Elementary - 09 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 69.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
89%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
59%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
63%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
62%
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: 4.7/10.

How Jefferson Elementary - 09 Compares

See how Jefferson Elementary - 09 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
33th percentile in SD
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
2.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1701 N Maple St, Watertown, SD 57201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson Elementary - 09 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lincoln Elementary - 05 (rated 8.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mellette Elementary - 07 (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, IMACULATE CONCEPTION (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Watertown, see our Watertown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
WATERTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watertown 0.4 mi 6.2
ST MARTINS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown 0.5 mi 5.4
GREAT PLAINS LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Watertown 0.5 mi 7.2
Mellette Elementary - 07 Watertown 0.9 mi 7.5
Watertown Middle School - 02 Watertown 0.8 mi 6.2
Watertown Intermediate School - 13 Watertown 1.2 mi 7.6
Lincoln Elementary - 05 Watertown 1.1 mi 8.0
Watertown High School - 01 Watertown 1.5 mi 5.9
IMACULATE CONCEPTION Watertown 1.7 mi 7.1
Roosevelt Elementary - 08 Watertown 1.9 mi 4.2
McKinley Elementary - 06 Watertown 1.7 mi 6.9
Waverly-South Shore Elementary - 02 Waverly 8.8 mi 4.7
Waverly-South Shore High School - 01 Waverly 8.8 mi 5.8
Waverly-South Shore Middle School - 03 Waverly 8.8 mi 4.0
Castlewood Elementary - 02 Castlewood 14.2 mi 7.0
Castlewood High School - 01 Castlewood 14.2 mi 8.6
Castlewood Middle School - 03 Castlewood 14.2 mi 5.3
Florence Elementary - 02 Florence 14.0 mi 3.5
Florence High School - 01 Florence 14.0 mi 8.8
Florence Middle School - 03 Florence 14.0 mi 5.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Eugene Field A+ Elementary - 16 Sioux Falls, SD 5.4
Grandview Elementary - 06 Rapid City, SD 5.5
Jefferson Elementary - 06 Pierre, SD 5.5
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Yankton, SD 5.5
Beresford Elementary - 02 Beresford, SD 5.3
Medary Elementary - 05 Brookings, SD 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson Elementary - 09

What grades does Jefferson Elementary - 09 serve?

Jefferson Elementary - 09 serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Jefferson Elementary - 09?

Jefferson Elementary - 09 has an enrollment of approximately 332 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary - 09?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary - 09 is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson Elementary - 09 rank in SD?

Jefferson Elementary - 09 ranks #388 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Jefferson Elementary - 09's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Elementary - 09 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Jefferson Elementary - 09?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jefferson Elementary - 09 has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Jefferson Elementary - 09 a charter school?

No, Jefferson Elementary - 09 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Jefferson Elementary - 09 a Title I school?

No, Jefferson Elementary - 09 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Elementary - 09?

16.9% of students at Jefferson Elementary - 09 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
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
332
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Codington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
2.4%

District

Watertown School District 14-4
District Enrollment
3,690
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,402
District Rank
#7 of 8

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.