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
Enrollment
209
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 — Students at Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
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 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: 8.2/10.
How Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 7.5% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (605) 823-4484
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
McLaughlin School District 15-2- District Enrollment
- 427
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,882
- 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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