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Average

#241 of 574 schools in SD

Top 42% in state

Mclaughlin Elementary - 02

Elementary School · McLaughlin School District 15-2

PO Box 880, Mclaughlin, SD 57642

Enrollment

209

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mclaughlin

#1 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#121 of 271

In district

#1 of 3

McLaughlin School District 15-2

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Mclaughlin Elementary - 02

McLaughlin Elementary - 02 is a rural public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the remote area of McLaughlin, South Dakota. With an enrollment of 209 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1, the school benefits from having 18 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning needs. Despite its small size and dedicated staff, McLaughlin Elementary currently ranks 459 out of 586 schools in South Dakota, with room for academic growth as reflected by its MySchoolScout Rating of 4.0/10 and an Academic Score of 1.1/10.

The school faces challenges in ELA/Reading proficiency, where only 6% of students are proficient or above on average, and Math proficiency stands at a mere 2%. These figures highlight areas where the school is focusing its efforts to improve educational outcomes for all learners. McLaughlin Elementary - 02 is nestled in a remote rural setting, offering a unique community atmosphere that fosters close relationships among students, teachers, and families.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 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 Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics1.9Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.5%
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-18.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,602

Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 — Students at Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 2.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 5.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 Compares

See how Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
58th percentile in SD
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

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 9.4/10, 29.4 miles away, in nearby Timber Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Little Eagle School (rated 8.1/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Little Eagle), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rock Creek Grant School (rated 7.3/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Bullhead), which scores slightly 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 6.6
McLaughlin Middle School - 03 Mclaughlin 0.1 mi 6.4
LITTLE EAGLE GRANT SCHOOL Little Eagle 9.3 mi 5.7
Little Eagle School Little Eagle 9.3 mi 8.1
SELFRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Selfridge 16.7 mi
SELFRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Selfridge 16.7 mi
Rock Creek Grant School Bullhead 13.5 mi 7.3
FORT YATES MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Yates 20.6 mi 6.9
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 7.2
Wakpala High School - 01 Wakpala 18.9 mi 7.1
Wakpala Middle School - 04 Wakpala 18.9 mi 7.7
Mobridge High School - 01 Mobridge 25.9 mi 5.6
Mobridge Middle School - 02 Mobridge 25.9 mi 6.0
Mobridge Upper Elementary - 04 Mobridge 25.9 mi 7.3
Timber Lake Elementary - 02 Timber Lake 29.4 mi 9.4
Timber Lake High School - 01 Timber Lake 29.4 mi 8.8
Timber Lake Middle School - 03 Timber Lake 29.4 mi 6.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $56,528. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $78,500, with a median rent of $496/month. The area has a poverty rate of 43.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
All City Elementary - 50 Sioux Falls, SD 6.6
Freeman Davis Elementary - 03 Mobridge, SD 6.5
Mountain View Elementary - 08 Spearfish, SD 6.5
Ipswich Elementary - 02 Ipswich, SD 6.7
Lead-Deadwood Elementary - 03 Deadwood, SD 6.4
Gregory Elementary - 02 Gregory, SD 6.8

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 is ranked #241 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Mclaughlin Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Mclaughlin Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 has 2.5% math proficiency and 5.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

McLaughlin School District 15-2
District Enrollment
427
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,882
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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