Below Average
#474 of 574 schools in SD
New Underwood Elementary - 02
Elementary School · New Underwood School District 51-3
PO Box 128, New Underwood, SD 57761
Enrollment
121
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
121
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Underwood
#2 of 3
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#222 of 271
In district
#2 of 3
New Underwood School District 51-3
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Strong
About New Underwood Elementary - 02
New Underwood Elementary - 02 is a charming rural elementary school nestled in the small town of New Underwood, South Dakota. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, this regular public school boasts an enrollment of 121 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education. The academic performance at New Underwood Elementary is solid but has room for improvement.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school ranks in the 50th percentile among South Dakota schools and holds a state ranking of #297 out of 586 schools. In reading and math proficiency tests, approximately half of the students meet or exceed proficiency levels, indicating areas for continued academic growth. With its rural setting, New Underwood Elementary benefits from close-knit community involvement and a nurturing educational environment that fosters student development beyond just academics.
The school’s location in this small town offers a tight-knit atmosphere where teachers know each child well and parents are actively involved in their children's education.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 121 students, New Underwood Elementary - 02 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.
Located in a rural area, New Underwood 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
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New Underwood Elementary - 02 — Students at New Underwood Elementary - 02 score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.4%
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
↓ 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: 3.3/10.
How New Underwood Elementary - 02 Compares
See how New Underwood Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
PO Box 128, New Underwood, SD 57761
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering New Underwood Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Patriot Elementary -06 (rated 7.1/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Box Elder), which scores notably higher. Another option is CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vandenberg Elementary - 02 (rated 5.7/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Box Elder), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in New Underwood, see our New Underwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57761 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,042
Median Home Value
$263,800
Median Rent
$871/mo
Population
1,274
College Educated
27.9%
Homeownership
85.8%
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding New Underwood Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $101,042. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,800, with a median rent of $871/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ST AGNES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vermillion, SD | 4.9 |
| Wall Elementary - 02 Wall, SD | 4.9 |
| Estelline Elementary - 02 Estelline, SD | 5.1 |
| Gayville-Volin Elementary - 02 Gayville, SD | 5.1 |
| Renberg Elementary - 42 Renner, SD | 5.1 |
| ST LAWRENCE SCHOOL Milbank, SD | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about New Underwood Elementary - 02
What grades does New Underwood Elementary - 02 serve?
New Underwood Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend New Underwood Elementary - 02?
New Underwood Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 121 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at New Underwood Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at New Underwood Elementary - 02 is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does New Underwood Elementary - 02 rank in SD?
New Underwood Elementary - 02 is ranked #474 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is New Underwood Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
New Underwood Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 4.9 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 New Underwood Elementary - 02?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Underwood Elementary - 02 has 52.8% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is New Underwood Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, New Underwood Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is New Underwood Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, New Underwood Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for New Underwood Elementary - 02?
26.4% of students at New Underwood 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
- County Safety
- Average (343/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 121
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Pennington County
- Phone
- (605) 754-6485
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
New Underwood School District 51-3- District Enrollment
- 274
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,007
- 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.
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