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
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
2.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.8%
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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 27% (2022).
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 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 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.
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
- 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
- #3 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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