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Below Average

#480 of 574 schools in SD

Mccook Central Middle School - 03

Middle School · McCook Central School District 43-7

PO Box 310, Salem, SD 57058

Enrollment

115

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

4.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#1 of 3

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#119 of 144

In district

#1 of 3

McCook Central School District 43-7

About Mccook Central Middle School - 03

McCook Central Middle School - 03 is a regular public middle school in Salem, South Dakota, located in McCook County. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 115 students and employs seven full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.8 out of 10, placing it at the 20th percentile among South Dakota schools, with an academic score of 3.5/10.

In terms of standardized testing, 50% of students are proficient in ELA and reading, while 42% meet proficiency standards in math. McCook Central Middle School is situated in a remote rural area, offering students a close-knit community environment with fewer distractions from urban settings. Despite the challenges reflected in its academic ranking, the school focuses on student development and provides a supportive educational setting for its young learners.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 115 students, Mccook Central 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, Mccook Central 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 Progress5.3Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,130

Mccook Central Middle School - 03 — Students at Mccook Central Middle School - 03 score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
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
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
42%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Mccook Central Middle School - 03 Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in SD
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

PO Box 310, Salem, SD 57058

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mccook Central Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Howard Jr. High - 05 (rated 8.1/10, 21.2 miles away, in nearby Howard), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bridgewater-Emery Middle School - 04 (rated 7.2/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Emery), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Montrose Middle School - 03 (rated 5.3/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Montrose), which scores slightly 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 High School - 01 Salem 0.0 mi 4.3
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 Middle School - 03 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 Middle School - 03 Garretson, SD 4.8
Philip Jr. High - 03 Philip, SD 4.8
Stanley County Middle School - 02 Fort Pierre, SD 4.9
Beresford Middle School - 03 Beresford, SD 5.0
Lyman Middle School - 02 Presho, SD 5.0
Avon Middle School - 05 Avon, SD 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mccook Central Middle School - 03

What grades does Mccook Central Middle School - 03 serve?

Mccook Central Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Mccook Central Middle School - 03?

Mccook Central Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 115 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Mccook Central Middle School - 03 is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mccook Central Middle School - 03 rank in SD?

Mccook Central Middle School - 03 is ranked #480 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Mccook Central Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Mccook Central Middle School - 03 has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Middle School - 03?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mccook Central Middle School - 03 has 42.0% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mccook Central Middle School - 03 a charter school?

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

Is Mccook Central Middle School - 03 a Title I school?

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

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

21.7% of students at Mccook Central 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

County Safety
Average (366/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.7%
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
#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

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