Average

#252 of 574 schools in SD

Top 44% in state

Lake Preston Middle School - 03

Middle School · Lake Preston School District 38-3

300 1st St NE, Lake Preston, SD 57249

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

6.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

6.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#252 of 574

In Lake Preston

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Lake Preston School District 38-3

School environment

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Middle School in Lake Preston · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Lake Preston Middle School - 03

Lake Preston Middle School - 03 is a public middle school in Lake Preston, SD, part of Lake Preston School District 38-3. Lake Preston Middle School - 03 serves approximately 33 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 8.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Lake Preston Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #252 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Lake Preston Middle School - 03 show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts above SD schools

6.6

This school 6.6 · Average
SD avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 33 students, Lake Preston Middle School - 03 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 8.2:1 students to teachers, Lake Preston Middle School - 03 sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Lake Preston Middle School - 03 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 Progress4.1Below Average40%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-3.39 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics7.3Very Good35%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency54.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+8.6 pts

Adjusted Percentile60th

Resources & Environment9.6Excellent25%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1

Per-Pupil Spending$17,235

Lake Preston Middle School - 03 — Students at Lake Preston Middle School - 03 score 50% 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

48.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 58.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009

Math

90%

ELA

90%

2010

Math

90%

ELA

69.5%

2011

Math

90%

ELA

90%

2012

Math

69.5%

ELA

69.5%

2014

Math

24.5%

ELA

49.5%

2015

Math

49.5%

ELA

49.5%

2016

Math

49.5%

ELA

69.5%

2017

Math

49.5%

ELA

49.5%

2018

Math

44.5%

ELA

44.5%

2019

Math

44.5%

ELA

44.5%

2020*

Math

54.5%

ELA

44.5%

2021*

Math

54.5%

ELA

44.5%

2022

Math

54.5%

ELA

44.5%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Lake Preston Middle School - 03 Compares

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

Overall Score

6.6/10

56th percentile in SD

Academic

7.3/10

Very Good

Growth

4.1/10

Below Average

Environment

9.6/10

Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

49%

Teaching Staff

8:1 student-teacher ratio

4 teachers

Location

300 1st St NE, Lake Preston, SD 57249

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lake Preston Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Howard Jr. High - 05 (rated 7.9/10, 25.0 miles away, in nearby Howard), which scores notably higher. Another option is Arlington Jr. High - 03 (rated 7.4/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Arlington), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 (rated 6.4/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby Willow Lake), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lake Preston, see our Lake Preston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.5 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Lake Preston Elementary - 02 Lake Preston	0.0 mi	104	9.1
Lake Preston High School - 01 Lake Preston	0.0 mi	51	7.7
De Smet High School - 01 De Smet	9.2 mi	90	7.7
De Smet Middle School - 03 De Smet	9.2 mi	86	4.5
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 De Smet	9.2 mi	178	6.9
Arlington Elementary - 02 Arlington	11.7 mi	161	8.0
Arlington High School - 01 Arlington	11.7 mi	86	7.4
Arlington Jr. High - 03 Arlington	11.7 mi	37	7.4
Arlington Preschool - 04 Arlington	11.7 mi	17	—
Hamlin Middle School - 02 Hayti	20.8 mi	182	4.5
Hamlin High School - 01 Hayti	20.8 mi	232	7.8
Hamlin Elementary - 09 Hayti	20.8 mi	467	6.4
Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake	20.5 mi	16	—
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake	22.6 mi	150	6.4
Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake	22.6 mi	56	7.9
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Willow Lake	22.6 mi	63	6.4
Howard High School - 01 Howard	25.0 mi	98	9.3
Howard Jr. High - 05 Howard	25.0 mi	70	7.9
Howard Elementary - 02 Howard	25.3 mi	131	6.4
Shannon Colony Elementary - 08 Winfred	26.5 mi	29	—

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

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Highmore Jr. High - 03 Highmore, SD	43	6.4
Colman-Egan Jr. High - 02 Colman, SD	43	6.3
Axtell Park Middle School - 47 Sioux Falls, SD	30	6.2
Deubrook Jr. High - 02 White, SD	42	6.2
Colome Middle School - 03 Colome, SD	36	7.1
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 Wessington Springs, SD	42	7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lake Preston Middle School - 03

What grades does Lake Preston Middle School - 03 serve?

Lake Preston Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Lake Preston Middle School - 03?

Lake Preston Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 33 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Preston Middle School - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Lake Preston Middle School - 03 is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lake Preston Middle School - 03 rank in SD?

Lake Preston Middle School - 03 ranks #252 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Lake Preston Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Lake Preston Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Lake Preston Middle School - 03?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lake Preston Middle School - 03 has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Lake Preston Middle School - 03 a charter school?

No, Lake Preston Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lake Preston Middle School - 03 a Title I school?

No, Lake Preston Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lake Preston Middle School - 03?

48.5% of students at Lake Preston 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.