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Excellent

#72 of 574 schools in SD

Top 12% in state

Kadoka Area High School - 01

High School · Kadoka Area School District 35-2

PO Box 99, Kadoka, SD 57543

Enrollment

70

Student-Teacher

7.8:1

Score

8.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kadoka

#2 of 3

public schools

South Dakota high schools

#17 of 156

In district

#2 of 3

Kadoka Area School District 35-2

Academic performance

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Kadoka Area High School - 01

Kadoka Area High School - 01 serves 70 students in grades 9-12 with an exceptional 7.8:1 student-teacher ratio and 9 full-time equivalent teachers. This small public high school has achieved remarkable academic success, earning an impressive 8.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 15th out of 586 schools statewide, placing it in the 98th percentile of South Dakota high schools. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with 90% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while math proficiency stands at 50%.

These results reflect the personalized attention possible in such an intimate learning environment, where teachers can work closely with each student. Located in Jackson County, the school serves the small community of Kadoka and surrounding areas. The local ZIP code has a population of 837, with a median household income of $23,625 and median home value of $151,300.

Despite economic challenges in the region, including a 46% poverty rate and only 9% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, Kadoka Area High School continues to provide quality education to its students. The school operates in a remote rural setting, offering students a close-knit educational experience in the heart of South Dakota's prairie landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 70 students, Kadoka Area High School - 01 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 7.8:1, Kadoka Area High School - 01 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.

Located in a rural area, Kadoka Area High School - 01 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90%
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+26.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,082

Kadoka Area High School - 01 — Students at Kadoka Area High School - 01 score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 76.5%
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
49.5%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
49.5%
ELA
90%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Kadoka Area High School - 01 Compares

See how Kadoka Area High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
88th percentile in SD
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

PO Box 99, Kadoka, SD 57543

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kadoka Area High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kadoka Elementary - 02 (rated 8.8/10), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Kadoka Middle School - 03 (rated 7.9/10), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Philip High School - 01 (rated 7.7/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Philip), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Kadoka, see our Kadoka schools guide .

Nearby Schools

10 within 24.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Kadoka Elementary - 02 Kadoka 0.0 mi 8.8
Kadoka Middle School - 03 Kadoka 0.0 mi 7.9
Philip Jr. High - 03 Philip 16.3 mi 4.8
Philip Elementary - 02 Philip 16.3 mi 5.3
Philip High School - 01 Philip 16.3 mi 7.7
Crazy Horse School Wanblee 19.9 mi
Longvalley Elementary - 10 Kadoka 22.3 mi
Midland Elementary - 11 Kadoka 23.7 mi
Norris Elementary - 08 White River 29.6 mi 6.6
Interior Elementary - 09 Kadoka 24.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57543 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$26,771

Median Home Value

$159,100

Median Rent

$569/mo

Population

786

College Educated

9.7%

Homeownership

66.8%

Poverty Rate

37.3%

Median Age

37.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kadoka Area High School - 01 has a median household income of $26,771. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $159,100, with a median rent of $569/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.3%, 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
Canistota High School - 01 Canistota, SD 8.1
Colman-Egan High School - 01 Colman, SD 8.1
Kimball High School - 01 Kimball, SD 8.1
Burke High School - 01 Burke, SD 8.0
Irene - Wakonda High School - 01 Irene, SD 8.0
Marion High School - 01 Marion, SD 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kadoka Area High School - 01

What grades does Kadoka Area High School - 01 serve?

Kadoka Area High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Kadoka Area High School - 01?

Kadoka Area High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 70 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kadoka Area High School - 01?

The student-teacher ratio at Kadoka Area High School - 01 is 7.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kadoka Area High School - 01 rank in SD?

Kadoka Area High School - 01 is ranked #72 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Kadoka Area High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?

Kadoka Area High School - 01 has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Kadoka Area High School - 01?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kadoka Area High School - 01 has 49.5% math proficiency and 76.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kadoka Area High School - 01 a charter school?

No, Kadoka Area High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Kadoka Area High School - 01 a Title I school?

No, Kadoka Area High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kadoka Area High School - 01?

40.0% of students at Kadoka Area High School - 01 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
70
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Jackson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kadoka Area School District 35-2
District Enrollment
303
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,201
District Rank
#2 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

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