Skip to main content

Excellent

#80 of 574 schools in SD

Top 14% in state

Jones County Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Jones County School District 37-3

305 Jefferson Ave, Murdo, SD 57559

Enrollment

78

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Murdo

#3 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#46 of 271

In district

#3 of 3

Jones County School District 37-3

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Jones County Elementary - 02

Jones County Elementary - 02 is a small, rural elementary school located in Murdo, South Dakota. With an enrollment of just 78 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment where teachers can provide individualized attention to each child. The school is part of Jones County and serves kindergarten through fourth grade.

Academically, Jones County Elementary - 02 has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10, placing it in the 77th percentile among South Dakota schools. In reading and ELA, 43% of students are proficient or above, indicating room for improvement but also showing strong potential for growth. Math proficiency is slightly higher at 63%, reflecting a solid foundation in this subject area.

The school's setting in Murdo offers a close-knit community where everyone knows each other, fostering a supportive atmosphere for both students and families. Jones County Elementary - 02 stands as an important part of the local educational landscape, providing essential learning opportunities to its small but dedicated student body.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 78 students, Jones County Elementary - 02 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.

Located in a rural area, Jones County Elementary - 02 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 Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,355

Jones County Elementary - 02 — Students at Jones County Elementary - 02 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
69.5%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Jones County Elementary - 02 Compares

See how Jones County Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
86th percentile in SD
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

305 Jefferson Ave, Murdo, SD 57559

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jones County Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Stanley County Elementary - 08 (rated 9.2/10, 36.3 miles away, in nearby Fort Pierre), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pierre Indian Learning Center (rated 8.0/10, 37.8 miles away, in nearby Pierre), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Jefferson Elementary - 06 (rated 7.2/10, 38.2 miles away, in nearby Pierre), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Murdo, see our Murdo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

15 within 37.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Jones County High School - 01 Murdo 0.1 mi 8.9
Jones County Middle School - 04 Murdo 0.1 mi 8.9
White River Middle School - 04 White River 22.1 mi 5.9
White River Elementary - 02 White River 22.2 mi 5.5
White River High School - 01 White River 22.2 mi 7.2
Midland Elementary - 11 Kadoka 25.7 mi
Stanley County Elementary - 08 Fort Pierre 36.3 mi 9.2
Stanley County High School - 01 Fort Pierre 36.3 mi 4.8
Stanley County Middle School - 02 Fort Pierre 36.3 mi 4.9
Georgia Morse Middle School - 02 Pierre 37.6 mi 4.3
Jefferson Elementary - 06 Pierre 38.2 mi 7.2
T F Riggs High School - 01 Pierre 37.9 mi 6.2
Pierre Indian Learning Center Pierre 37.8 mi 8.0
Buchanan Elementary - 03 Pierre 38.1 mi 7.0
Norris Elementary - 08 White River 37.9 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57559 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,295

Median Home Value

$123,600

Median Rent

$531/mo

Population

795

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

72%

Poverty Rate

17.4%

Median Age

33.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jones County Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $68,295. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,600, with a median rent of $531/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Springfield Elementary - 03 Springfield, SD 8.0
White Lake Elementary - 02 White Lake, SD 8.0
CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY LOVING SCHOOL Sioux Falls, SD 8.1
Eagle Butte Primary - 02 Eagle Butte, SD 8.1
Little Eagle School Little Eagle, SD 8.1
Faith Elementary - 02 Faith, SD 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jones County Elementary - 02

What grades does Jones County Elementary - 02 serve?

Jones County Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Jones County Elementary - 02?

Jones County Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 78 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jones County Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Jones County Elementary - 02 is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jones County Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Jones County Elementary - 02 is ranked #80 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Jones County Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Jones County Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Jones County Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jones County Elementary - 02 has 62.8% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Jones County Elementary - 02 a charter school?

No, Jones County Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Jones County Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

No, Jones County Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jones County Elementary - 02?

56.4% of students at Jones County Elementary - 02 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
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
78
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Jones County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Jones County School District 37-3
District Enrollment
183
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,772
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

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.