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Average

#392 of 574 schools in SD

Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02

Elementary School · De Smet School District 38-2

PO Box 157, De Smet, SD 57231

Enrollment

178

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In De Smet

#2 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#188 of 271

In district

#2 of 3

De Smet School District 38-2

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02

Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 is a charming rural elementary school located in De Smet, South Dakota. Serving students from pre-K through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 178 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.8:1 with ten full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is quite remote, offering a unique rural experience to its community.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 aims to provide a solid educational foundation for its young learners. Based on recent performance metrics, the school has an overall MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks as the 303rd best elementary school in South Dakota according to state rankings (48th percentile). In terms of specific academic scores, 59% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 54% meet proficiency standards in Math.

With room for growth, the school continues to focus on improving student development and outcomes. The serene rural setting around Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 provides a peaceful backdrop for learning and community engagement.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 178 students, Laura Ingalls Wilder 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, Laura Ingalls Wilder 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 Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,341

Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 — Students at Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
57%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 Compares

See how Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
32th percentile in SD
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

PO Box 157, De Smet, SD 57231

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lake Preston Elementary - 02 (rated 9.7/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Lake Preston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Howard Elementary - 02 (rated 8.3/10, 25.6 miles away, in nearby Howard), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Iroquois Elementary - 04 (rated 7.4/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Iroquois), which scores notably higher. For more schools in De Smet, see our De Smet schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.0 mi
School Distance Rating
De Smet High School - 01 De Smet 0.1 mi 7.6
De Smet Middle School - 03 De Smet 0.1 mi 3.2
Lake Preston Elementary - 02 Lake Preston 9.2 mi 9.7
Lake Preston High School - 01 Lake Preston 9.2 mi 7.7
Lake Preston Middle School - 03 Lake Preston 9.2 mi 8.3
Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake 13.2 mi
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake 17.4 mi 4.0
Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake 17.4 mi 5.8
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Willow Lake 17.4 mi 6.4
SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois 15.1 mi 5.4
Iroquois High School - 01 Iroquois 14.6 mi 7.0
Iroquois Middle School - 02 Iroquois 14.6 mi 5.3
Iroquois Elementary - 04 Iroquois 14.6 mi 7.4
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake 21.6 mi 4.8
Pearl Creek Colony Elementary - 05 Iroquois 18.1 mi
Howard High School - 01 Howard 25.4 mi 8.3
Howard Jr. High - 05 Howard 25.4 mi 8.1
Howard Elementary - 02 Howard 25.6 mi 8.3
Hamlin Middle School - 02 Hayti 23.0 mi 4.7
Hamlin High School - 01 Hayti 23.0 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57231 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,375

Median Home Value

$173,600

Median Rent

$748/mo

Population

1,769

College Educated

26%

Homeownership

82.9%

Poverty Rate

7.6%

Median Age

42.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $69,375. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,600, with a median rent of $748/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Highmore Elementary - 02 Highmore, SD 5.5
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Yankton, SD 5.5
White River Elementary - 02 White River, SD 5.5
Canistota Elementary - 02 Canistota, SD 5.6
Castlewood Elementary - 02 Castlewood, SD 5.4
ST MARTINS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown, SD 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02

What grades does Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 serve?

Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02?

Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 178 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 is ranked #392 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 has 53.7% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 a charter school?

No, Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

No, Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02?

28.1% of students at Laura Ingalls Wilder 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

County Safety
Low (173/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
178
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Kingsbury County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

De Smet School District 38-2
District Enrollment
354
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,208
District Rank
#2 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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