Very Good
#143 of 574 schools in SD
Top 25% in state
Mellette Elementary - 07
Elementary School · Watertown School District 14-4
619 2nd St NW, Watertown, SD 57201
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watertown
#3 of 8
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#75 of 271
In district
#3 of 8
Watertown School District 14-4
Academic performance
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Mellette Elementary - 07
Mellette Elementary - 07 serves 235 students in prekindergarten through fourth grade in Watertown, South Dakota. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 131st out of 586 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile.
Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 67% achieving proficiency or above, while 47% demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. This academic foundation reflects the school's commitment to elementary education during these crucial early learning years. Located at 619 2nd St NW, Mellette Elementary sits within a stable community where the median household income reaches $65,761 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 11.2%.
The surrounding neighborhood features median home values of $213,300, indicating a established residential area. With 21% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, families in this ZIP code of over 26,000 residents value educational achievement. Mellette Elementary operates as a regular public school in this remote South Dakota town, providing foundational learning in a close-knit community setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Mellette Elementary - 07 — Students at Mellette Elementary - 07 score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
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: 7.5/10.
How Mellette Elementary - 07 Compares
See how Mellette Elementary - 07 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
619 2nd St NW, Watertown, SD 57201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mellette Elementary - 07 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Waverly-South Shore Elementary - 02 (rated 8.2/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Waverly), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lincoln Elementary - 05 (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, McKinley Elementary - 06 (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Watertown, see our Watertown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.4 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 Mellette Elementary - 07 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 |
|---|---|
| Ethan Elementary - 02 Ethan, SD | 7.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary - 08 Aberdeen, SD | 7.6 |
| McKinley Elementary - 06 Watertown, SD | 7.6 |
| Hanson Elementary - 06 Alexandria, SD | 7.3 |
| Inspiration Elementary - 08 Sioux Falls, SD | 7.3 |
| Mobridge Upper Elementary - 04 Mobridge, SD | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mellette Elementary - 07
What grades does Mellette Elementary - 07 serve?
Mellette Elementary - 07 serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Mellette Elementary - 07?
Mellette Elementary - 07 has an enrollment of approximately 235 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mellette Elementary - 07?
The student-teacher ratio at Mellette Elementary - 07 is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mellette Elementary - 07 rank in SD?
Mellette Elementary - 07 is ranked #143 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Mellette Elementary - 07's MySchoolScout rating?
Mellette Elementary - 07 has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Mellette Elementary - 07?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mellette Elementary - 07 has 63.7% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mellette Elementary - 07 a charter school?
No, Mellette Elementary - 07 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mellette Elementary - 07 a Title I school?
No, Mellette Elementary - 07 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mellette Elementary - 07?
39.1% of students at Mellette Elementary - 07 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
- 235
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Codington County
- Phone
- (605) 882-6385
- 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
- #3 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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