Below Average
#523 of 574 schools in SD
Mccook Central High School - 01
High School · McCook Central School District 43-7
PO Box 310, Salem, SD 57058
Enrollment
121
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
121
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salem
#3 of 3
public schools
South Dakota high schools
#141 of 156
In district
#3 of 3
McCook Central School District 43-7
About Mccook Central High School - 01
McCook Central High School - 01 is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Salem, South Dakota. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 121 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 with eight full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at McCook Central High School is currently ranked in the 25th percentile among South Dakota schools, earning it a state ranking of #443 out of 586 schools.
Students demonstrate proficiency rates of 58% in ELA/Reading and 32% in Math, indicating areas where additional academic support may be beneficial. Despite these challenges, the school community works diligently to improve student outcomes and provide a supportive learning environment for its students. McCook Central High School is situated in a remote rural setting, offering a close-knit community feel that encourages strong relationships between teachers, students, and families.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 121 students, Mccook Central High School - 01 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, Mccook Central High School - 01 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 High School - 01 — Students at Mccook Central High School - 01 score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.2%
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: 5.4/10.
How Mccook Central High School - 01 Compares
See how Mccook Central High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 34.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 310, Salem, SD 57058
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mccook Central High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Howard High School - 01 (rated 8.3/10, 21.2 miles away, in nearby Howard), which scores notably higher. Another option is Canistota High School - 01 (rated 8.1/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Canistota), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Montrose High School - 01 (rated 6.3/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Montrose), 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 Elementary - 02 Salem | 0.0 mi | 4.4 |
| 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 High School - 01 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 |
|---|---|
| Garretson High School - 01 Garretson, SD | 4.3 |
| Hill City High School - 01 Hill City, SD | 4.3 |
| Parker High School - 01 Parker, SD | 4.6 |
| Estelline High School - 01 Estelline, SD | 4.8 |
| Stanley County High School - 01 Fort Pierre, SD | 4.8 |
| Clark High School - 01 Clark, SD | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mccook Central High School - 01
What grades does Mccook Central High School - 01 serve?
Mccook Central High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mccook Central High School - 01?
Mccook Central High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 121 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mccook Central High School - 01?
The student-teacher ratio at Mccook Central High School - 01 is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mccook Central High School - 01 rank in SD?
Mccook Central High School - 01 is ranked #523 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Mccook Central High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?
Mccook Central High School - 01 has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Mccook Central High School - 01?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mccook Central High School - 01 has 31.5% math proficiency and 57.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mccook Central High School - 01 a charter school?
No, Mccook Central High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mccook Central High School - 01 a Title I school?
No, Mccook Central High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mccook Central High School - 01?
18.2% of students at Mccook Central High School - 01 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 121
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.2%
- 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
- #3 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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