Skip to main content

Excellent

#11 of 574 schools in SD

Top 2% 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

9.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#11 of 574

In Kadoka

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Kadoka Area School District 35-2

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Kadoka Elementary - 02?

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.

Kadoka Elementary - 02

9.2/10

Elementary School in Kadoka · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kadoka Area High School - 01

8.6/10

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

Kadoka Middle School - 03

8.4/10

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

About Kadoka Elementary - 02

Kadoka Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in Kadoka, SD, part of Kadoka Area School District 35-2. Kadoka Elementary - 02 serves approximately 126 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Kadoka Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #11 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Kadoka Elementary - 02 show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.1 pts above SD schools
  • This school 9.2 · Excellent
  • SD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 126 students, Kadoka Elementary - 02 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 9.7:1 students to teachers, Kadoka Elementary - 02 sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Kadoka Elementary - 02 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency60% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+19.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,201
Chronic Absenteeism7.1%

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 57.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2018
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2020*
Math
64.5%
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: 9.1/10.

How Kadoka Elementary - 02 Compares

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

Overall Score
9.2/10
98th percentile in SD
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.1%

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 6.7/10, 29.6 miles away, in nearby White River), a more accessible option. Additionally, Philip Elementary - 02 (rated 4.9/10, 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 8.6
Kadoka Middle School - 03 Kadoka 0.0 mi 8.4
Philip Jr. High - 03 Philip 16.3 mi 4.4
Philip Elementary - 02 Philip 16.3 mi 4.9
Philip High School - 01 Philip 16.3 mi 8.8
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 6.7
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Warner Elementary - 02 Warner, SD 9.2
Hanson Elementary - 06 Alexandria, SD 9.1
Lake Preston Elementary - 02 Lake Preston, SD 9.1
Canistota Elementary - 02 Canistota, SD 9.0
Whitewood Elementary - 04 Whitewood, SD 8.9
Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 Bridgewater, SD 9.6

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 ranks #11 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Kadoka Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Kadoka Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 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 Kadoka Elementary - 02?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kadoka Elementary - 02 has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.1%

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

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.