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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College Readiness1.5Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,130

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.5%
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
30%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
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: 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.

Overall Score
4.3/10
9th percentile in SD
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

McCook Central School District 43-7
District Enrollment
472
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,673
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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