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Below Average

#488 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

4.3

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#488 of 574

In Salem

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

McCook Central School District 43-7

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Mccook Central Middle School - 03

4.3/10

Middle School in Salem · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mccook Central Elementary - 02

3.6/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Mccook Central High School - 01

5.0/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Mccook Central Middle School - 03

Mccook Central Middle School - 03 is a public middle school in Salem, SD, part of McCook Central School District 43-7. Mccook Central Middle School - 03 serves approximately 115 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Mccook Central Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #488 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Mccook Central Middle School - 03 show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.7 pts below SD schools
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • SD avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 115 students, Mccook Central Middle School - 03 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Mccook Central Middle School - 03 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment5.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,673
Chronic Absenteeism14.8%

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 53.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
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: 3.8/10.

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
4.3/10
15th percentile in SD
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.0/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.8%

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 7.9/10, 21.2 miles away, in nearby Howard), which scores notably higher. Another option is Canistota Middle School - 03 (rated 6.7/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Canistota), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bridgewater-Emery Middle School - 04 (rated 5.8/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Emery), 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 3.6
McCook Central High School - 01 Salem 0.0 mi 5.0
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 9.0
Canistota High School - 01 Canistota 10.1 mi 8.0
Canistota Middle School - 03 Canistota 10.1 mi 6.7
Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose 10.1 mi 8.5
Montrose High School - 01 Montrose 10.1 mi 7.5
Montrose Middle School - 03 Montrose 10.1 mi 5.5
Orland Colony Elementary - 04 Montrose 11.2 mi 3.7
Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 Bridgewater 13.4 mi 9.6
Graceville Colony - 07 Winfred 14.6 mi
Shannon Colony Elementary - 08 Winfred 17.5 mi
Bridgewater-Emery High School - 01 Emery 14.5 mi 6.0
Bridgewater-Emery Middle School - 04 Emery 14.5 mi 5.8
Howard Elementary - 02 Howard 21.0 mi 6.4
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Chester 17.4 mi 5.7
Howard High School - 01 Howard 21.2 mi 9.3
Howard Jr. High - 05 Howard 21.2 mi 7.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Britton-Hecla Middle School - 03 Britton, SD 4.2
Clear Lake Middle School - 04 Clear Lake, SD 4.2
Beresford Middle School - 03 Beresford, SD 4.4
Philip Jr. High - 03 Philip, SD 4.4
Redfield Middle School - 02 Redfield, SD 4.4
Wolsey Wessington Middle School - 03 Wolsey, SD 4.4

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 ranks #488 of 574 schools in SD.

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

Mccook Central Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Mccook Central Middle School - 03?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mccook Central Middle School - 03 has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
49 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.8%

District

McCook Central School District 43-7
District Enrollment
472
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,673
District Rank
#2 of 3

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