Average
#32 of 56 private schools in SD
Lakota Waldorf School
Elementary School
3 MILE CREEK RD, Kyle, SD 57752
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SD statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher
3.9:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher
3.9:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
South Dakota elementary schools
#15 of 33
About Lakota Waldorf School
Lakota Waldorf School serves 31 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Kyle, South Dakota, within the Oglala Lakota community. This small elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 3.9:1 with 8 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly individualized attention and instruction. The school earns a solid 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 30th among South Dakota's 56 elementary schools, placing it in the 48th percentile statewide.
This performance reflects the school's commitment to serving its students in a challenging socioeconomic environment, where the surrounding community faces significant economic hardships with a 56.7% poverty rate and only 9% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The intimate school environment, with fewer than three dozen students total, creates opportunities for close mentoring relationships and personalized learning experiences that larger schools cannot provide. Teachers can focus intensively on each child's academic and personal development within this supportive educational community.
Lakota Waldorf School operates in a remote rural setting along 3 Mile Creek Road, serving families throughout the sparsely populated ZIP code area of 2,439 residents in the heart of Oglala Lakota territory.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 31 students, Lakota Waldorf School 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 3.9:1, Lakota Waldorf School 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.
As a private school, Lakota Waldorf School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Lakota Waldorf School compares to the 1 public school in Kyle, SD
All Schools in Kyle
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lakota Waldorf School (this school) | 6.1 |
| Little Wound School | — |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in SD.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in SD
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
3 MILE CREEK RD, Kyle, SD 57752
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lakota Waldorf School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OUR LADY OF LOURDES ELEMENTARY (rated 5.9/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Porcupine), with a very similar rating. Another option is Batesland School - 01 (rated 4.7/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Batesland), a more accessible option. Additionally, Pahin Sinte Owayawa (rated 4.6/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Porcupine), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kyle, see our Kyle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
13 within 28.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Little Wound School Kyle | 6.1 mi | — |
| Pahin Sinte Owayawa Porcupine | 8.6 mi | 4.6 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES ELEMENTARY Porcupine | 9.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Wounded Knee District School Manderson | 13.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Rockyford School - 03 Porcupine | 14.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Batesland School - 01 Batesland | 18.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Oglala Lakota County Virtual High School - 92 Batesland | 18.1 mi | 4.2 |
| American Horse School Allen | 17.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Wolf Creek School - 02 Pine Ridge | 23.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Lakota Tech High School - 10 Batesland | 24.0 mi | 3.1 |
| RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL Pine Ridge | 25.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Interior Elementary - 09 Kadoka | 28.8 mi | — |
| Pine Ridge School Pine Ridge | 28.2 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57752 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$30,304
Median Rent
$578/mo
Population
2,539
College Educated
9%
Homeownership
36.8%
Poverty Rate
61.6%
Median Age
23
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lakota Waldorf School has a median household income of $30,304. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 61.6%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Oaklane Colony Elementary - 05 Alexandria, SD | 6.0 |
| Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 Parkston, SD | 6.2 |
| ST THOMAS SCHOOL Madison, SD | 6.3 |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem, SD | 6.6 |
| Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Chester, SD | 5.5 |
| SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois, SD | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lakota Waldorf School
What grades does Lakota Waldorf School serve?
Lakota Waldorf School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Lakota Waldorf School?
Lakota Waldorf School has an enrollment of approximately 31 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lakota Waldorf School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lakota Waldorf School is 3.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Lakota Waldorf School rank in SD?
Lakota Waldorf School is ranked #32 out of 56 private schools in SD.
What is Lakota Waldorf School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lakota Waldorf School has a composite rating of 6.1 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.
Is Lakota Waldorf School a private school?
Yes, Lakota Waldorf School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Lakota Waldorf School a religious school?
No, Lakota Waldorf School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 31
- Gender Split
- 48% M / 52% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 3.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 179 days
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- OGLALA LAKOTA
- Phone
- (605) 455-2487
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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