Skip to main content

Excellent

#2 of 574 schools in SD

Top 1% in state

Lake Preston Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Lake Preston School District 38-3

300 1st St NE, Lake Preston, SD 57249

Enrollment

104

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

9.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lake Preston

#1 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#2 of 271

In district

#1 of 3

Lake Preston School District 38-3

Academic performance

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Lake Preston Elementary - 02

Lake Preston Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in Lake Preston, South Dakota, serving 104 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. With a student-teacher ratio of 10.4 to 1, students get consistent, close contact with teachers throughout the school day. The academic results here are among the strongest in the state.

Lake Preston Elementary - 02 ranks second out of 574 public schools in South Dakota and second out of 271 elementary schools statewide — a performance level reached by almost no school in the state. Its composite score of 9.7 out of 10 earns an Exceptional rating, with a perfect 10.0 for academics and a 9.8 for student growth. That growth score matters: it reflects how much students actually advance year over year, not just where they start.

For families comparing options in the area, the numbers are straightforward. This school outperforms 100 percent of public schools in South Dakota, placing it at the top of an extremely competitive field. Parents researching elementary schools in Lake Preston will find this is the highest-rated option in the community.

Small enrollment, an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio, and sustained academic achievement make Lake Preston Elementary - 02 one of the most compelling elementary choices available anywhere in South Dakota.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 104 students, Lake Preston 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.

Located in a rural area, Lake Preston 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 Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+7.68 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics10.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency95%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.5%
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected+46.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile100th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,332

Lake Preston Elementary - 02 — Students at Lake Preston Elementary - 02 score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 74.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.2%
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
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
95%
ELA
84.5%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Lake Preston Elementary - 02 Compares

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

Overall Score
9.7/10
100th percentile in SD
Academic
10.0/10
10.0/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

300 1st St NE, Lake Preston, SD 57249

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lake Preston Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Howard Elementary - 02 (rated 8.3/10, 25.3 miles away, in nearby Howard), a more accessible option. Another option is Hamlin Elementary - 09 (rated 7.5/10, 20.8 miles away, in nearby Hayti), a more accessible option. Additionally, Arlington Elementary - 02 (rated 7.2/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Arlington), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lake Preston, see our Lake Preston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Lake Preston High School - 01 Lake Preston 0.0 mi 7.7
Lake Preston Middle School - 03 Lake Preston 0.0 mi 8.3
De Smet High School - 01 De Smet 9.2 mi 7.6
De Smet Middle School - 03 De Smet 9.2 mi 3.2
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 De Smet 9.2 mi 5.5
Arlington Elementary - 02 Arlington 11.7 mi 7.2
Arlington High School - 01 Arlington 11.7 mi 6.0
Arlington Jr. High - 03 Arlington 11.7 mi 8.1
Arlington Preschool - 04 Arlington 11.7 mi
Hamlin Middle School - 02 Hayti 20.8 mi 4.7
Hamlin High School - 01 Hayti 20.8 mi 5.0
Hamlin Elementary - 09 Hayti 20.8 mi 7.5
Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake 20.5 mi
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake 22.6 mi 4.0
Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake 22.6 mi 5.8
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Willow Lake 22.6 mi 6.4
Howard High School - 01 Howard 25.0 mi 8.3
Howard Jr. High - 05 Howard 25.0 mi 8.1
Howard Elementary - 02 Howard 25.3 mi 8.3
Shannon Colony Elementary - 08 Winfred 26.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57249 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,545

Median Home Value

$202,500

Median Rent

$535/mo

Population

1,007

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

80%

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

51

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lake Preston Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $74,545. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,500, with a median rent of $535/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Onida Elementary - 04 Onida, SD 9.7
Waubay Elementary - 02 Waubay, SD 9.6
Eureka Elementary - 02 Eureka, SD 9.4
Selby Elementary - 02 Selby, SD 9.2
Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose, SD 9.1
Frederick Area Elementary - 02 Frederick, SD 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lake Preston Elementary - 02

What grades does Lake Preston Elementary - 02 serve?

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

How many students attend Lake Preston Elementary - 02?

Lake Preston Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 104 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Preston Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Lake Preston Elementary - 02 is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lake Preston Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Lake Preston Elementary - 02 is ranked #2 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Lake Preston Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Lake Preston Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 9.7 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 Lake Preston Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lake Preston Elementary - 02 has 74.7% math proficiency and 71.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lake Preston Elementary - 02 a charter school?

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

Is Lake Preston Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

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

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

41.3% of students at Lake Preston 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
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (173/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
104
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Kingsbury County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lake Preston School District 38-3
District Enrollment
188
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,235
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.