Needs Improvement
#525 of 574 schools in SD
Mclaughlin Elementary - 02
Elementary School · McLaughlin School District 15-2
PO Box 880, Mclaughlin, SD 57642
Enrollment
209
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
209
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Dakota schools
#525 of 574
In Mclaughlin
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#3 of 3
McLaughlin School District 15-2
School environment
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Mclaughlin Elementary - 02
Elementary School in Mclaughlin · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mclaughlin High School - 01
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mclaughlin Middle School - 03
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mclaughlin Elementary - 02
Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in Mclaughlin, SD, part of McLaughlin School District 15-2. Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 serves approximately 209 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #525 of 574 schools in SD.
Structured state assessment records for Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
- SD avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 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.
33% of students at Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 — Students at Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 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: 2.8/10.
How Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 880, Mclaughlin, SD 57642
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Timber Lake Elementary - 02 (rated 9.3/10, 29.4 miles away, in nearby Timber Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mobridge Upper Elementary - 04 (rated 8.3/10, 25.9 miles away, in nearby Mobridge), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wakpala Elementary - 02 (rated 7.8/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Wakpala), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mclaughlin, see our Mclaughlin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 29.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McLaughlin High School - 01 Mclaughlin | 0.1 mi | 4.8 |
| McLaughlin Middle School - 03 Mclaughlin | 0.1 mi | 4.0 |
| LITTLE EAGLE GRANT SCHOOL Little Eagle | 9.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Little Eagle School Little Eagle | 9.3 mi | 7.6 |
| SELFRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Selfridge | 16.7 mi | — |
| SELFRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Selfridge | 16.7 mi | — |
| Rock Creek Grant School Bullhead | 13.5 mi | 5.3 |
| FORT YATES MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Yates | 20.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Standing Rock Community School Fort Yates | 20.6 mi | — |
| FORT YATES PK SCHOOL Fort Yates | 20.7 mi | — |
| ST BERNARD MISSION SCHOOL Fort Yates | 21.5 mi | — |
| Wakpala Elementary - 02 Wakpala | 18.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Wakpala High School - 01 Wakpala | 18.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Wakpala Middle School - 04 Wakpala | 18.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Mobridge High School - 01 Mobridge | 25.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Mobridge Middle School - 02 Mobridge | 25.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Mobridge Upper Elementary - 04 Mobridge | 25.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Timber Lake Elementary - 02 Timber Lake | 29.4 mi | 9.3 |
| Timber Lake High School - 01 Timber Lake | 29.4 mi | 9.3 |
| Timber Lake Middle School - 03 Timber Lake | 29.4 mi | 9.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57642 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,528
Median Home Value
$78,500
Median Rent
$496/mo
Population
1,949
College Educated
20.7%
Homeownership
51.4%
Poverty Rate
43.2%
Median Age
27.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bennett County Elementary School - 03 Martin, SD | 3.8 |
| Enemy Swim Day School Waubay, SD | 3.8 |
| Redfield Elementary - 03 Redfield, SD | 3.7 |
| Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Elementary School Stephan, SD | 3.9 |
| McCook Central Elementary - 02 Salem, SD | 3.6 |
| Wounded Knee District School Manderson, SD | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mclaughlin Elementary - 02
What grades does Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 serve?
Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Mclaughlin Elementary - 02?
Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 209 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mclaughlin Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 rank in SD?
Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 ranks #525 of 574 schools in SD.
What is Mclaughlin Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Mclaughlin Elementary - 02?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mclaughlin Elementary - 02?
100.0% of students at Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 209
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Corson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.5%
- Phone
- (605) 823-4484
Resources & Links
District
McLaughlin School District 15-2- District Enrollment
- 427
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,882
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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