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Needs Improvement

#573 of 574 schools in SD

New Underwood Middle School - 04

Middle School · New Underwood School District 51-3

PO Box 128, New Underwood, SD 57761

Enrollment

59

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

2.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Underwood

#3 of 3

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#144 of 144

In district

#3 of 3

New Underwood School District 51-3

About New Underwood Middle School - 04

New Underwood Middle School - 04 is a rural middle school located in the heart of New Underwood, South Dakota. Serving students in grades six through eight, this regular public school has an enrollment of 59 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere where students can receive personalized attention from their educators.

While New Underwood Middle School - 04 ranks in the lower third percentile among South Dakota schools, it focuses on fostering student development and providing support for areas needing improvement. With 38% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 34% in Math, there is room for academic growth and progress. The school's rural setting provides a unique learning environment that encourages community involvement and personal connections among students, teachers, and families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 59 students, New Underwood Middle School - 04 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 Middle School - 04 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 Progress1.7Significantly Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.91 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-25.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment3.9Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,467

New Underwood Middle School - 04 — Students at New Underwood Middle School - 04 score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.8%
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
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
27%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How New Underwood Middle School - 04 Compares

See how New Underwood Middle School - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.5/10
0th percentile in SD
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

PO Box 128, New Underwood, SD 57761

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering New Underwood Middle School - 04 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. North Middle School - 35 (rated 5.8/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Middle School - 30 (rated 5.2/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Douglas Middle School - 01 (rated 5.1/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Box Elder), which scores notably 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 Elementary - 02 New Underwood 0.0 mi 4.9
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 Middle School - 04 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
Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 Irene, SD 2.9
Burke Middle School - 04 Burke, SD 3.0
Wilmot Middle School - 03 Wilmot, SD 3.2
Armour Middle School - 03 Armour, SD 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about New Underwood Middle School - 04

What grades does New Underwood Middle School - 04 serve?

New Underwood Middle School - 04 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend New Underwood Middle School - 04?

New Underwood Middle School - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 59 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at New Underwood Middle School - 04?

The student-teacher ratio at New Underwood Middle School - 04 is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does New Underwood Middle School - 04 rank in SD?

New Underwood Middle School - 04 is ranked #573 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is New Underwood Middle School - 04's MySchoolScout rating?

New Underwood Middle School - 04 has a composite rating of 2.5 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 New Underwood Middle School - 04?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Underwood Middle School - 04 has 34.5% math proficiency and 37.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is New Underwood Middle School - 04 a charter school?

No, New Underwood Middle School - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is New Underwood Middle School - 04 a Title I school?

No, New Underwood Middle School - 04 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for New Underwood Middle School - 04?

28.8% of students at New Underwood Middle School - 04 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.8%
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
#3 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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