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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.8Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected+18.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,082

Kadoka Middle School - 03 — Students at Kadoka Middle School - 03 score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.2%
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
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%

* 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 Middle School - 03 Compares

See how Kadoka Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
84th percentile in SD
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

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.

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
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
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
#3 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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