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
Enrollment
178
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 57% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (605) 854-3963
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
De Smet School District 38-2- District Enrollment
- 354
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,208
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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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