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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,467

New Underwood Elementary - 02 — Students at New Underwood Elementary - 02 score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
57%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in SD
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
New Underwood Middle School - 04 New Underwood 0.0 mi 2.5
New Underwood High School - 01 New Underwood 0.0 mi 7.2
Douglas High School - 03 Box Elder 11.7 mi 4.2
Douglas Middle School - 01 Box Elder 11.8 mi 5.1
Patriot Elementary -06 Box Elder 11.8 mi 7.1
Vandenberg Elementary - 02 Box Elder 12.0 mi 5.7
East Middle School - 30 Rapid City 15.2 mi 5.2
Valley View Elementary - 13 Rapid City 15.3 mi 3.9
Hereford Elementary - 08 Whitewood 21.3 mi
Rapid Valley Elementary - 12 Rapid City 15.7 mi 5.6
RAPID CITY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rapid City 16.2 mi
CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City 17.2 mi 7.1
Wellfully - 65 Rapid City 18.5 mi
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City 18.6 mi 4.5
Elm Springs Elementary - 13 Whitewood 21.3 mi
Knollwood Heights Elementary - 08 Rapid City 18.6 mi 4.8
Robbinsdale Elementary - 14 Rapid City 18.8 mi 4.6
General Beadle Elementary - 01 Rapid City 18.9 mi 4.5
North Middle School - 35 Rapid City 18.9 mi 5.8
Jefferson Building - 64 Rapid City 19.1 mi 6.9

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

New Underwood School District 51-3
District Enrollment
274
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,007
District Rank
#2 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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