Skip to main content

Excellent

#55 of 574 schools in SD

Top 9% in state

Marion Middle School - 03

Middle School · Marion School District 60-3

PO Box 207, Marion, SD 57043

Enrollment

54

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

8.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Marion

#1 of 3

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#11 of 144

In district

#1 of 3

Marion School District 60-3

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Marion Middle School - 03

Marion Middle School - 03 is a public middle school in Marion, SD, part of the Marion School District 60-3. The school serves approximately 54 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.6th percentile among SD schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 51% proficiency in math and 41% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $73,555, where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a distant rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 54 students, Marion Middle School - 03 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 Middle School - 03 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 Progress9.2Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.9Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,450

Marion Middle School - 03 — Students at Marion Middle School - 03 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 51.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.2%
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
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Marion Middle School - 03 Compares

See how Marion Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
91th percentile in SD
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

PO Box 207, Marion, SD 57043

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Marion Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Parker Jr. High - 03 (rated 6.9/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Parker), a more accessible option. Another option is Viborg-Hurley Middle School - 03 (rated 6.3/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Viborg), a more accessible option. Additionally, Freeman Jr High - 05 (rated 6.2/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Freeman), a more accessible option. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Marion Elementary - 02 Marion 0.0 mi 6.1
Marion High School - 01 Marion 0.0 mi 8.2
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 Middle School - 03 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
Lake Preston Middle School - 03 Lake Preston, SD 8.3
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 Wessington Springs, SD 8.3
Deubrook Jr. High - 02 White, SD 8.4
Miller Jr. High - 04 Miller, SD 8.5
Arlington Jr. High - 03 Arlington, SD 8.1
Colome Middle School - 03 Colome, SD 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Marion Middle School - 03

What grades does Marion Middle School - 03 serve?

Marion Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Marion Middle School - 03?

Marion Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 54 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Marion Middle School - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Marion Middle School - 03 is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Marion Middle School - 03 rank in SD?

Marion Middle School - 03 is ranked #55 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Marion Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Marion Middle School - 03 has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Middle School - 03?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marion Middle School - 03 has 51.2% math proficiency and 41.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Marion Middle School - 03 a charter school?

No, Marion Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Marion Middle School - 03 a Title I school?

No, Marion Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Marion Middle School - 03?

35.2% of students at Marion Middle School - 03 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
54
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.2%
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
#1 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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.