Below Average
#513 of 574 schools in SD
Mccook Central Elementary - 02
Elementary School · McCook Central School District 43-7
PO Box 310, Salem, SD 57058
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salem
#2 of 3
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#244 of 271
In district
#2 of 3
McCook Central School District 43-7
About Mccook Central Elementary - 02
McCook Central Elementary - 02 is a small rural elementary school located in Salem, South Dakota. Serving preschool through fourth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 208 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance data shows that while only 31% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 38% in math, the school is dedicated to fostering an environment focused on continuous improvement and student development.
With a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranking at 510th out of 586 schools in South Dakota, McCook Central Elementary - 02 operates in a remote rural setting where community support is strong and the educational experience is deeply rooted in local values and traditions.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mccook Central 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
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Mccook Central Elementary - 02 — Students at Mccook Central Elementary - 02 score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.9/10.
How Mccook Central Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Mccook Central Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 34.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 310, Salem, SD 57058
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mccook Central Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Montrose Elementary - 02 (rated 9.1/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Montrose), which scores notably higher. Another option is Howard Elementary - 02 (rated 8.3/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Howard), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 (rated 7.8/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Bridgewater), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McCook Central High School - 01 Salem | 0.0 mi | 4.3 |
| McCook Central Middle School - 03 Salem | 0.0 mi | 4.8 |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem | 0.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Goldenview Colony School - 04 Salem | 3.9 mi | — |
| Canistota Elementary - 02 Canistota | 10.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Canistota High School - 01 Canistota | 10.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Canistota Middle School - 03 Canistota | 10.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose | 10.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Montrose High School - 01 Montrose | 10.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Montrose Middle School - 03 Montrose | 10.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Orland Colony Elementary - 04 Montrose | 11.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 Bridgewater | 13.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Graceville Colony - 07 Winfred | 14.6 mi | — |
| Shannon Colony Elementary - 08 Winfred | 17.5 mi | — |
| Bridgewater-Emery High School - 01 Emery | 14.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Bridgewater-Emery Middle School - 04 Emery | 14.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Howard Elementary - 02 Howard | 21.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Chester | 17.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Howard High School - 01 Howard | 21.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Howard Jr. High - 05 Howard | 21.2 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57058 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,119
Median Home Value
$199,700
Median Rent
$866/mo
Population
1,792
College Educated
25.5%
Homeownership
76.5%
Avg Commute
19.9 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
43
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mccook Central Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $79,119. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $199,700, with a median rent of $866/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Roosevelt Elementary - 08 Watertown, SD | 4.4 |
| Viborg-Hurley Elementary - 02 Viborg, SD | 4.4 |
| Bennett County Elementary School - 03 Martin, SD | 4.5 |
| Deubrook Elementary - 03 Toronto, SD | 4.5 |
| Dupree Elementary - 02 Dupree, SD | 4.5 |
| South Canyon Elementary - 15 Rapid City, SD | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mccook Central Elementary - 02
What grades does Mccook Central Elementary - 02 serve?
Mccook Central Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Mccook Central Elementary - 02?
Mccook Central Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 208 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mccook Central Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Mccook Central Elementary - 02 is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mccook Central Elementary - 02 rank in SD?
Mccook Central Elementary - 02 is ranked #513 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Mccook Central Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Mccook Central Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Mccook Central Elementary - 02?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mccook Central Elementary - 02 has 37.8% math proficiency and 31.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mccook Central Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, Mccook Central Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mccook Central Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, Mccook Central Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mccook Central Elementary - 02?
25.5% of students at Mccook Central 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (366/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 208
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 25.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- McCook County
- Phone
- (605) 425-2264
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
McCook Central School District 43-7- District Enrollment
- 472
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,673
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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.
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