Average
#242 of 574 schools in SD
Top 42% in state
Mclaughlin High School - 01
High School · McLaughlin School District 15-2
PO Box 880, Mclaughlin, SD 57642
Enrollment
147
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
147
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mclaughlin
#2 of 3
public schools
South Dakota high schools
#68 of 156
In district
#2 of 3
McLaughlin School District 15-2
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Mclaughlin High School - 01
McLaughlin High School - 01 is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of McLaughlin, South Dakota, in Corson County. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 147 students with a student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide quality education despite its low academic performance ranking.
According to MySchoolScout's rating system, McLaughlin High School ranks at 3.6 out of 10 and is ranked 507th out of 586 schools in South Dakota, placing it in the 14th percentile for state rankings. Academically, the school shows that only 12% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 8% meet proficiency standards in Math. While these numbers indicate areas needing improvement, McLaughlin High School is committed to student development and growth.
The small-town setting fosters a tight-knit community where teachers know each student well and can offer tailored support. Located in an isolated rural area, the school serves as a vital center for education and social activities for students and families in the region.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 147 students, Mclaughlin High School - 01 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.
While current test scores at Mclaughlin High School - 01 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1, Mclaughlin High School - 01 offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mclaughlin High School - 01 — Students at Mclaughlin High School - 01 score 10% 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: 7.2/10.
How Mclaughlin High School - 01 Compares
See how Mclaughlin High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 10% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 15% (2022).
Location
PO Box 880, Mclaughlin, SD 57642
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mclaughlin High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Timber Lake High School - 01 (rated 8.8/10, 29.3 miles away, in nearby Timber Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wakpala High School - 01 (rated 7.1/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Wakpala), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mobridge High School - 01 (rated 5.6/10, 25.9 miles away, in nearby Mobridge), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mclaughlin, see our Mclaughlin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 29.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McLaughlin Middle School - 03 Mclaughlin | 0.0 mi | 6.4 |
| McLaughlin Elementary - 02 Mclaughlin | 0.1 mi | 6.6 |
| LITTLE EAGLE GRANT SCHOOL Little Eagle | 9.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Little Eagle School Little Eagle | 9.2 mi | 8.1 |
| SELFRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Selfridge | 16.8 mi | — |
| SELFRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Selfridge | 16.8 mi | — |
| Rock Creek Grant School Bullhead | 13.5 mi | 7.3 |
| FORT YATES MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Yates | 20.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Standing Rock Community School Fort Yates | 20.7 mi | — |
| FORT YATES PK SCHOOL Fort Yates | 20.7 mi | — |
| ST BERNARD MISSION SCHOOL Fort Yates | 21.6 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 | 29.3 mi | 9.4 |
| Timber Lake High School - 01 Timber Lake | 29.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Timber Lake Middle School - 03 Timber Lake | 29.3 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 High School - 01 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 |
|---|---|
| Centerville High School - 01 Centerville, SD | 6.6 |
| Wall High School - 01 Wall, SD | 6.6 |
| Warner High School - 01 Warner, SD | 6.6 |
| Chester High School - 01 Chester, SD | 6.5 |
| Florence High School - 01 Florence, SD | 6.5 |
| Platte - Geddes High School - 01 Platte, SD | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mclaughlin High School - 01
What grades does Mclaughlin High School - 01 serve?
Mclaughlin High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mclaughlin High School - 01?
Mclaughlin High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 147 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mclaughlin High School - 01?
The student-teacher ratio at Mclaughlin High School - 01 is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mclaughlin High School - 01 rank in SD?
Mclaughlin High School - 01 is ranked #242 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Mclaughlin High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?
Mclaughlin High School - 01 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 High School - 01?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mclaughlin High School - 01 has 8.3% math proficiency and 11.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mclaughlin High School - 01 a charter school?
No, Mclaughlin High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mclaughlin High School - 01 a Title I school?
No, Mclaughlin High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mclaughlin High School - 01?
100.0% of students at Mclaughlin High School - 01 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 147
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- 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
- #2 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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.