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
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.7%
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: 5.3/10.
How Mccook Central Middle School - 03 Compares
See how Mccook Central Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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.
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
- 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
- #1 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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