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Average

#26 of 56 private schools in SD

Top 45% of private schools

John Paul II Elementary School

Elementary School

1510 W ELM AVE, Mitchell, SD 57301

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SD statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

102

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Mitchell

#2 of 2

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#10 of 33

About John Paul II Elementary School

John Paul II Elementary School serves 102 students in grades pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Mitchell, South Dakota. This small public school maintains an impressive student-teacher ratio of 9.8 to 1, with 10 full-time equivalent teachers providing personalized attention to each student. The intimate learning environment allows educators to know their students well and tailor instruction to individual needs.

The school has earned recognition for its educational quality, ranking 5th out of 56 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 93rd percentile. This outstanding performance has contributed to its MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10, reflecting strong academic achievement and school quality. John Paul II Elementary draws students from a community where the median household income is $55,076 and median home values are $179,500.

About 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 16.2%. The school's small size fosters a close-knit school community where families and staff work together to support student success. Located on West Elm Avenue, John Paul II Elementary operates in Mitchell, a remote town setting that provides a quiet, focused environment for learning while maintaining the strong community connections characteristic of smaller South Dakota communities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 102 students, John Paul II Elementary 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, John Paul II Elementary 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, John Paul II Elementary 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How John Paul II Elementary School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Mitchell, SD

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
This School
vs
14.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
102
This School
vs
297
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.6
This School
vs
7.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 93.1% vs 0%
Black 1% vs 0%
John Paul II Elementary School Mitchell Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
John Paul II Elementary School (this school) 6.6
Abbott House Elementary - 06
L. B. Williams Elementary - 03 7.8
Mitchell Middle School - 02 7.2
Longfellow Elementary - 05 8.8
Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary - 04 6.3
Rosedale Colony Elementary - 11

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 6.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,232
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 10%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 102
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)

White 93.1%
Two or More 3.9%
Native American 2.0%
Black 1.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1510 W ELM AVE, Mitchell, SD 57301

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Paul II Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mount Vernon Elementary - 02 (rated 8.9/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Mount Vernon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Longfellow Elementary - 05 (rated 8.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, L. B. Williams Elementary - 03 (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mitchell, see our Mitchell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Abbott House High School - 07 Mitchell 0.7 mi 4.1
Abbott House Elementary - 06 Mitchell 0.7 mi
L. B. Williams Elementary - 03 Mitchell 0.9 mi 7.8
Mitchell Middle School - 02 Mitchell 1.1 mi 7.2
MITCHELL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mitchell 1.6 mi 7.4
Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary - 04 Mitchell 1.6 mi 6.3
Longfellow Elementary - 05 Mitchell 1.6 mi 8.8
Mitchell High School - 01 Mitchell 1.7 mi 6.4
Ethan Elementary - 02 Ethan 11.4 mi 7.5
Ethan High School - 01 Ethan 11.4 mi 7.8
Ethan Jr. High - 03 Ethan 11.4 mi 7.4
Millbrook Colony Elementary - 04 Alexandria 8.9 mi
Hanson Colony Alternative High School - 07 Alexandria 8.9 mi
Upland Colony Elementary - 05 Forestburg 12.4 mi 7.6
Rosedale Colony Elementary - 11 Mitchell 10.1 mi
Mount Vernon Elementary - 02 Mount Vernon 10.9 mi 8.9
Mount Vernon High School- 01 Mount Vernon 10.9 mi 8.4
Mount Vernon Middle School - 03 Mount Vernon 10.9 mi 5.2
Rockport Colony Elementary- 10 Alexandria 15.5 mi
Hanson High School - 01 Alexandria 13.3 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,671

Median Home Value

$191,300

Median Rent

$775/mo

Population

19,142

College Educated

25.1%

Homeownership

63.1%

Avg Commute

12.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.2%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding John Paul II Elementary School has a median household income of $60,671. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $191,300, with a median rent of $775/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 12 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
Armour Elementary - 02 Armour, SD 6.6
Valley Springs Elementary - 04 Valley Springs, SD 6.6
Colome Elementary - 02 Colome, SD 6.4
Avon Elementary - 02 Avon, SD 6.8
North Park Elementary - 08 Belle Fourche, SD 6.8
Rosholt Elementary - 02 Rosholt, SD 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Paul II Elementary School

What grades does John Paul II Elementary School serve?

John Paul II Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend John Paul II Elementary School?

John Paul II Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 102 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John Paul II Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at John Paul II Elementary 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 John Paul II Elementary School rank in SD?

John Paul II Elementary School is ranked #26 out of 56 private schools in SD.

What is John Paul II Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

John Paul II Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 John Paul II Elementary School a private school?

Yes, John Paul II Elementary School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is John Paul II Elementary School a religious school?

John Paul II Elementary School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,249/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mitchell). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
102
Gender Split
63% M / 37% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
176 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
DAVISON
Data Year
2022–2023

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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