Leola Elementary - 02

Leola Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in Leola, South Dakota, serving students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 56 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1, each child gets substantial individual attention — a structural advantage that shows up in outcomes. The numbers here are hard to overlook.

Leola Elementary - 02 earns a composite score of 9.7 out of 10, rated Exceptional, with a near-perfect academic score of 9.9 and a growth score of 9.8. It ranks 3rd out of 574 public schools across South Dakota and 3rd out of 271 elementary schools statewide — meaning it outperforms the vast majority of schools at every level. For parents comparing options within the region, the school also holds the top position among schools in Leola itself.

Growth scores measure how much students improve year over year, regardless of where they start — and a 9.8 in that category signals consistent, meaningful progress across the student body. For families relocating to the area or weighing school options in McPherson County, Leola Elementary - 02 delivers documented academic performance that places it among South Dakota's strongest elementary programs.

With an enrollment of 56 students, Leola 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1, Leola Elementary - 02 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.

Located in a rural area, Leola 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.