Skip to main content

Excellent

#30 of 574 schools in SD

Top 5% in state

Kadoka Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Kadoka Area School District 35-2

PO Box 99, Kadoka, SD 57543

Enrollment

126

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kadoka

#1 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#22 of 271

In district

#1 of 3

Kadoka Area School District 35-2

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Kadoka Elementary - 02

Kadoka Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in Kadoka, SD, part of the Kadoka Area School District 35-2. The school serves approximately 126 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 94.9th percentile among SD schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 61% proficiency in math and 55% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $26,771, where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a remote rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 126 students, Kadoka 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Kadoka Elementary - 02 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 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 Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+20.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,082

Kadoka Elementary - 02 — Students at Kadoka Elementary - 02 score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
64.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Kadoka Elementary - 02 Compares

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

Overall Score
8.8/10
95th percentile in SD
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

PO Box 99, Kadoka, SD 57543

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kadoka Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Norris Elementary - 08 (rated 6.6/10, 29.6 miles away, in nearby White River), a more accessible option. Additionally, Philip Elementary - 02 (rated 5.3/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Philip), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kadoka, see our Kadoka schools guide .

Nearby Schools

10 within 24.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Kadoka Area High School - 01 Kadoka 0.0 mi 8.1
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 Elementary - 02 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
Centerville Elementary - 02 Centerville, SD 8.8
Hitchcock-Tulare Elementary - 05 Hitchcock, SD 8.9
Mount Vernon Elementary - 02 Mount Vernon, SD 8.9
Frederick Area Elementary - 02 Frederick, SD 9.0
Whitewood Elementary - 04 Whitewood, SD 9.0
Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose, SD 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kadoka Elementary - 02

What grades does Kadoka Elementary - 02 serve?

Kadoka Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Kadoka Elementary - 02?

Kadoka Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 126 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kadoka Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Kadoka Elementary - 02 is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kadoka Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Kadoka Elementary - 02 is ranked #30 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Kadoka Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Kadoka Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 8.8 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.

What are the test scores at Kadoka Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kadoka Elementary - 02 has 61.2% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kadoka Elementary - 02 a charter school?

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

Is Kadoka Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

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

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

52.4% of students at Kadoka 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
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
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
126
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.4%
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
#1 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.