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Very Good

#111 of 574 schools in SD

Top 19% in state

Lincoln Elementary - 05

Elementary School · Watertown School District 14-4

1100 13th St NE, Watertown, SD 57201

Enrollment

338

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Watertown

#1 of 8

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#61 of 271

In district

#1 of 8

Watertown School District 14-4

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Lincoln Elementary - 05

Lincoln Elementary serves 338 students in prekindergarten through fourth grade in Watertown, South Dakota, delivering exceptional academic results that place it among the state's top performers. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1 across 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school ranks 62nd out of 586 elementary schools statewide, earning a strong 90th percentile position. The school's academic excellence shines through in standardized testing, where 82% of students achieve proficiency or above in mathematics and 72% meet or exceed standards in English Language Arts and reading.

These impressive results contribute to Lincoln Elementary's outstanding 9.8 out of 10 academic score and overall 7.7 rating from MySchoolScout. Students come from a stable community where the median household income reaches $65,761 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 11.2%. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of educational backgrounds, with 21% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and median home values around $213,300.

Lincoln Elementary provides young learners with a strong academic foundation during their crucial early years, combining small class sizes with proven educational outcomes. The school operates within Watertown's remote town setting, serving families in this Codington County community of over 26,000 residents.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+26.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.1Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,487

Lincoln Elementary - 05 — Students at Lincoln Elementary - 05 score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 78.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
72%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Lincoln Elementary - 05 Compares

See how Lincoln Elementary - 05 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
81th percentile in SD
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

1100 13th St NE, Watertown, SD 57201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lincoln Elementary - 05 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Waverly-South Shore Elementary - 02 (rated 8.2/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Waverly), which scores slightly higher. Another option is McKinley Elementary - 06 (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mellette Elementary - 07 (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Watertown, see our Watertown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Watertown Intermediate School - 13 Watertown 0.4 mi 5.8
Watertown Middle School - 02 Watertown 0.7 mi 6.1
Watertown High School - 01 Watertown 0.7 mi 4.2
GREAT PLAINS LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Watertown 0.6 mi 7.2
ST MARTINS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown 0.9 mi 5.4
WATERTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watertown 1.0 mi 6.2
Jefferson Elementary - 09 Watertown 1.1 mi 5.5
IMACULATE CONCEPTION Watertown 1.3 mi 7.1
Mellette Elementary - 07 Watertown 1.2 mi 7.5
Roosevelt Elementary - 08 Watertown 1.6 mi 4.4
McKinley Elementary - 06 Watertown 2.2 mi 7.6
Waverly-South Shore Elementary - 02 Waverly 8.5 mi 8.2
Waverly-South Shore High School - 01 Waverly 8.5 mi 6.8
Waverly-South Shore Middle School - 03 Waverly 8.5 mi 5.6
Castlewood Elementary - 02 Castlewood 13.3 mi 5.4
Castlewood High School - 01 Castlewood 13.3 mi 7.8
Castlewood Middle School - 03 Castlewood 13.3 mi 4.4
Claremont Colony Elementary - 04 Castlewood 15.5 mi
Sunrise Colony - 15 Watertown 18.3 mi
Florence Elementary - 02 Florence 15.2 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,809

Median Home Value

$223,600

Median Rent

$903/mo

Population

26,375

College Educated

21.3%

Homeownership

66%

Avg Commute

14.1 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lincoln Elementary - 05 has a median household income of $64,809. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,600, with a median rent of $903/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
C C Lee Elementary - 05 Aberdeen, SD 7.8
Custer Elementary - 02 Custer, SD 7.8
L. B. Williams Elementary - 03 Mitchell, SD 7.8
RONCALLI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Aberdeen, SD 7.8
Medary Elementary - 05 Brookings, SD 7.9
SACRED HEART MIDDLE SCHOOL - Yankton, SD 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lincoln Elementary - 05

What grades does Lincoln Elementary - 05 serve?

Lincoln Elementary - 05 serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Lincoln Elementary - 05?

Lincoln Elementary - 05 has an enrollment of approximately 338 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lincoln Elementary - 05?

The student-teacher ratio at Lincoln Elementary - 05 is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lincoln Elementary - 05 rank in SD?

Lincoln Elementary - 05 is ranked #111 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Lincoln Elementary - 05's MySchoolScout rating?

Lincoln Elementary - 05 has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Lincoln Elementary - 05?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lincoln Elementary - 05 has 78.7% math proficiency and 68.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lincoln Elementary - 05 a charter school?

No, Lincoln Elementary - 05 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lincoln Elementary - 05 a Title I school?

No, Lincoln Elementary - 05 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lincoln Elementary - 05?

21.3% of students at Lincoln Elementary - 05 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
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,332/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watertown). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
338
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Codington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Watertown School District 14-4
District Enrollment
3,690
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,402
District Rank
#1 of 8

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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