Very Good
#92 of 574 schools in SD
Top 16% in state
Kadoka Middle School - 03
Middle School · Kadoka Area School District 35-2
PO Box 99, Kadoka, SD 57543
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kadoka
#3 of 3
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#19 of 144
In district
#3 of 3
Kadoka Area School District 35-2
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Kadoka Middle School - 03
Kadoka Middle School - 03 serves 55 students in grades 6-8 in this small Jackson County community. With just 3 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio, creating an intimate learning environment where each student receives individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking impressively at #61 out of 586 South Dakota schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide.
Students achieve solid results with 61% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 54% meet proficiency standards in mathematics. These achievements are particularly noteworthy given the school's rural setting and community challenges. Located in ZIP code 57543, the school serves a tight-knit community of 837 residents where the median household income is $23,625 and median home value is $151,300.
While 46% of residents face economic challenges and only 9% hold bachelor's degrees or higher, Kadoka Middle School continues to provide quality education and support for its students. The school operates in a remote rural setting, offering students the benefits of small-class instruction and close community connections that characterize education in South Dakota's expansive rural landscape.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 55 students, Kadoka Middle School - 03 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, Kadoka Middle School - 03 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Kadoka Middle School - 03 — Students at Kadoka Middle School - 03 score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.3%
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 Middle School - 03 Compares
See how Kadoka Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 54.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 54.5% (2019) to 64.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 99, Kadoka, SD 57543
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kadoka Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kadoka Elementary - 02 (rated 8.8/10), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Kadoka Area High School - 01 (rated 8.1/10), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Philip High School - 01 (rated 7.7/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Philip), with a very similar rating. 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 Elementary - 02 Kadoka | 0.0 mi | 8.8 |
| 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 Middle School - 03 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 |
|---|---|
| Hanson Middle School - 02 Alexandria, SD | 7.9 |
| Harding County Middle School - 03 Buffalo, SD | 7.9 |
| Centerville Middle School - 03 Centerville, SD | 7.8 |
| Highmore Jr. High - 03 Highmore, SD | 7.8 |
| Arlington Jr. High - 03 Arlington, SD | 8.1 |
| Colome Middle School - 03 Colome, SD | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kadoka Middle School - 03
What grades does Kadoka Middle School - 03 serve?
Kadoka Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Kadoka Middle School - 03?
Kadoka Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 55 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kadoka Middle School - 03?
The student-teacher ratio at Kadoka Middle School - 03 is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kadoka Middle School - 03 rank in SD?
Kadoka Middle School - 03 is ranked #92 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Kadoka Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?
Kadoka Middle School - 03 has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Middle School - 03?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kadoka Middle School - 03 has 54.5% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kadoka Middle School - 03 a charter school?
No, Kadoka Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kadoka Middle School - 03 a Title I school?
No, Kadoka Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kadoka Middle School - 03?
47.3% of students at Kadoka Middle School - 03 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 55
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Jackson County
- Phone
- (605) 837-2174
- 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
- #3 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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