Very Good
#134 of 574 schools in SD
Top 23% in state
Mckinley Elementary - 06
Elementary School · Watertown School District 14-4
5 12th St SW, Watertown, SD 57201
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watertown
#2 of 8
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#70 of 271
In district
#2 of 8
Watertown School District 14-4
Academic performance
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Mckinley Elementary - 06
McKinley Elementary - 06 serves 255 students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Watertown, South Dakota. This regular public school maintains a favorable 12.1-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where young learners can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 113th out of 586 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 81st percentile.
Students show steady progress in core subjects, with 52% achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 49% meeting proficiency standards in English language arts and reading across all grade levels. McKinley Elementary draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $65,761 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 11.2%. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of working families, with median home values around $213,300 and about one in five residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
Located on 12th Street Southwest, the school serves families in this remote town setting of Codington County, where the close-knit community atmosphere supports the educational foundation these early elementary years provide.
Score Breakdown
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Mckinley Elementary - 06 — Students at Mckinley Elementary - 06 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Mckinley Elementary - 06 Compares
See how Mckinley Elementary - 06 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
5 12th St SW, Watertown, SD 57201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mckinley Elementary - 06 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Waverly-South Shore Elementary - 02 (rated 8.2/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Waverly), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lincoln Elementary - 05 (rated 7.8/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mellette Elementary - 07 (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Watertown, see our Watertown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,809
Median Home Value
$223,600
Median Rent
$903/mo
Population
26,375
College Educated
21.3%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
14.1 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
39.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mckinley Elementary - 06 has a median household income of $64,809. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,600, with a median rent of $903/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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 |
|---|---|
| Lincoln Elementary - 08 Aberdeen, SD | 7.6 |
| Ethan Elementary - 02 Ethan, SD | 7.5 |
| Mellette Elementary - 07 Watertown, SD | 7.5 |
| Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 Bridgewater, SD | 7.8 |
| Custer Elementary - 02 Custer, SD | 7.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary - 05 Watertown, SD | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mckinley Elementary - 06
What grades does Mckinley Elementary - 06 serve?
Mckinley Elementary - 06 serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Mckinley Elementary - 06?
Mckinley Elementary - 06 has an enrollment of approximately 255 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mckinley Elementary - 06?
The student-teacher ratio at Mckinley Elementary - 06 is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mckinley Elementary - 06 rank in SD?
Mckinley Elementary - 06 is ranked #134 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Mckinley Elementary - 06's MySchoolScout rating?
Mckinley Elementary - 06 has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Mckinley Elementary - 06?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mckinley Elementary - 06 has 52.0% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mckinley Elementary - 06 a charter school?
No, Mckinley Elementary - 06 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mckinley Elementary - 06 a Title I school?
No, Mckinley Elementary - 06 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mckinley Elementary - 06?
46.3% of students at Mckinley Elementary - 06 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watertown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 255
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Codington County
- Phone
- (605) 882-6350
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Watertown School District 14-4- District Enrollment
- 3,690
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,402
- District Rank
- #2 of 8
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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