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Average

#211 of 574 schools in SD

Top 37% in state

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

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#211 of 574

In De Smet

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

De Smet School District 38-2

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02

6.9/10

Elementary School in De Smet · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

De Smet High School - 01

7.7/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

De Smet Middle School - 03

4.5/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02

Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in De Smet, SD, part of De Smet School District 38-2. Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 serves approximately 178 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #211 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts above SD schools
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • SD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 178 students, Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 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.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 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 Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,208
Chronic Absenteeism8.4%

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 61.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 65.1% (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
77%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2015
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
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: 7.0/10.

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
6.9/10
63th percentile in SD
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
5.5/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
8.4%

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 9.1/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Lake Preston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 (rated 6.9/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Willow Lake), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Willow Lake Elementary - 02 (rated 6.4/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Willow Lake), with a comparable rating. 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 7.7
De Smet Middle School - 03 De Smet 0.1 mi 4.5
Lake Preston Elementary - 02 Lake Preston 9.2 mi 9.1
Lake Preston High School - 01 Lake Preston 9.2 mi 7.7
Lake Preston Middle School - 03 Lake Preston 9.2 mi 6.6
Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake 13.2 mi
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake 17.4 mi 6.4
Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake 17.4 mi 7.9
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 5.9
Iroquois Middle School - 02 Iroquois 14.6 mi 4.4
Iroquois Elementary - 04 Iroquois 14.6 mi 6.0
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake 21.6 mi 6.9
Pearl Creek Colony Elementary - 05 Iroquois 18.1 mi
Howard High School - 01 Howard 25.4 mi 9.3
Howard Jr. High - 05 Howard 25.4 mi 7.9
Howard Elementary - 02 Howard 25.6 mi 6.4
Hamlin Middle School - 02 Hayti 23.0 mi 4.5
Hamlin High School - 01 Hayti 23.0 mi 7.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Mountain View Elementary - 08 Spearfish, SD 6.9
Castlewood Elementary - 02 Castlewood, SD 7.0
Hill City Elementary - 02 Hill City, SD 6.8
CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City, SD 7.1
IMACULATE CONCEPTION Watertown, SD 7.1
All City Elementary - 50 Sioux Falls, SD 6.7

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 ranks #211 of 574 schools in SD.

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

Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
8.4%

District

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

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