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
Enrollment
126
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Kadoka Elementary - 02 — Students at Kadoka Elementary - 02 score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 54.5% (2019) to 64.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 54.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (605) 837-2173
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kadoka Area School District 35-2- District Enrollment
- 303
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,201
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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.
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