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Average

#317 of 574 schools in SD

Marion Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Marion School District 60-3

PO Box 207, Marion, SD 57043

Enrollment

105

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Marion

#3 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#151 of 271

In district

#3 of 3

Marion School District 60-3

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Marion Elementary - 02

Marion Elementary - 02 serves 105 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in the small rural community of Marion, South Dakota. With just 9 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, allowing for more individualized attention and stronger student-teacher relationships. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide at #129 out of 586 South Dakota elementary schools.

Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 54% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics. This performance reflects the dedication of both educators and families in supporting student learning. Marion Elementary serves a stable rural community where the median household income is $68,300 and the poverty rate sits at a relatively low 9%.

The area's median home value of $185,900 suggests an affordable cost of living that attracts working families. While 22% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community values education and supports their local school. Located in Turner County's agricultural landscape, Marion Elementary - 02 provides a close-knit educational environment where students can thrive in a small-town setting that emphasizes personal connections and community support.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 105 students, Marion 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, Marion 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 Progress3.7Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,450

Marion Elementary - 02 — Students at Marion Elementary - 02 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.8%
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
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Marion Elementary - 02 Compares

See how Marion Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in SD
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

PO Box 207, Marion, SD 57043

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Marion Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Montrose Elementary - 02 (rated 9.1/10, 19.4 miles away, in nearby Montrose), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 (rated 7.8/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Bridgewater), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 (rated 7.4/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Hartford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Marion High School - 01 Marion 0.0 mi 8.2
Marion Middle School - 03 Marion 0.0 mi 8.3
Parker Elementary - 02 Parker 6.2 mi 4.9
Parker High School - 01 Parker 6.2 mi 4.6
Parker Jr. High - 03 Parker 6.2 mi 6.9
Canistota Elementary - 02 Canistota 12.3 mi 5.6
Canistota High School - 01 Canistota 12.3 mi 8.1
Canistota Middle School - 03 Canistota 12.3 mi 5.1
Freeman High School - 01 Freeman 10.1 mi 5.3
Freeman Jr High - 05 Freeman 10.1 mi 6.2
Freeman Elementary - 02 Freeman 10.1 mi 4.9
FREEMAN ACADEMY Freeman 10.4 mi 8.3
Viborg-Hurley Middle School - 03 Viborg 12.7 mi 6.3
Cameron Colony Elementary - 04 Viborg 16.1 mi
Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 Bridgewater 15.2 mi 7.8
Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose 19.4 mi 9.1
Montrose High School - 01 Montrose 19.4 mi 6.3
Montrose Middle School - 03 Montrose 19.4 mi 5.3
West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 Hartford 17.7 mi 7.4
Viborg-Hurley Elementary - 02 Viborg 19.5 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,555

Median Home Value

$198,000

Median Rent

$821/mo

Population

1,625

College Educated

24.4%

Homeownership

82.7%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

45.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Marion Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $73,555. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,000, with a median rent of $821/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Menno Elementary - 02 Menno, SD 6.1
Tripp Elementary - 03 Tripp, SD 6.1
Kimball Elementary - 02 Kimball, SD 6.2
Northwestern Elementary - 04 Mellette, SD 6.2
Scotland Elementary - 02 Scotland, SD 6.2
OUR LADY OF LOURDES ELEMENTARY Porcupine, SD 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Marion Elementary - 02

What grades does Marion Elementary - 02 serve?

Marion Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Marion Elementary - 02?

Marion Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 105 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Marion Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Marion Elementary - 02 is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Marion Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Marion Elementary - 02 is ranked #317 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Marion Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Marion Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Marion Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marion Elementary - 02 has 47.8% math proficiency and 57.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Marion Elementary - 02 a charter school?

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

Is Marion Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

No, Marion Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Marion Elementary - 02?

33.3% of students at Marion 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
105
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Turner County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Marion School District 60-3
District Enrollment
212
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,648
District Rank
#3 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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