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Very Good

#130 of 574 schools in SD

Top 23% in state

Newell Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Newell School District 09-2

PO Box 99, Newell, SD 57760

Enrollment

125

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newell

#1 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#69 of 271

In district

#1 of 3

Newell School District 09-2

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Newell Elementary - 02

Newell Elementary - 02 is a small, rural elementary school located in Newell, South Dakota. Serving preschool through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of just 125 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 with eight full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is quite remote, nestled in a peaceful, rural area where community ties run deep.

While Newell Elementary - 02 currently ranks at the 41st percentile among South Dakota schools, with room for academic growth as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 3.5 out of 10, the school focuses on student development through personalized attention. Test scores show that 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 25% achieve proficiency or better in Math. Newell Elementary - 02 is deeply rooted in its community, providing a nurturing environment where every child receives individualized support and care.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 125 students, Newell 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, Newell 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 Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+6.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,337

Newell Elementary - 02 — Students at Newell Elementary - 02 score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Newell Elementary - 02 Compares

See how Newell Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in SD
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

PO Box 99, Newell, SD 57760

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Newell Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whitewood Elementary - 04 (rated 9.0/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Whitewood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05 (rated 8.0/10, 33.4 miles away, in nearby Piedmont), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sturgis Elementary - 03 (rated 7.2/10, 22.1 miles away, in nearby Sturgis), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Newell, see our Newell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Newell High School - 01 Newell 0.0 mi 5.8
Newell Middle School - 04 Newell 0.0 mi 7.6
Sturgis Brown High School - 01 Sturgis 20.8 mi 5.0
Sturgis Williams Middle School - 02 Sturgis 21.5 mi 5.7
Sturgis Elementary - 03 Sturgis 22.1 mi 7.2
Whitewood Elementary - 04 Whitewood 20.3 mi 9.0
Belle Fourche High School - 01 Belle Fourche 20.7 mi 4.8
Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 Belle Fourche 20.7 mi 5.2
Belle Fourche Middle School - 07 Belle Fourche 20.9 mi 4.4
North Park Elementary - 08 Belle Fourche 21.0 mi 6.8
South Park Elementary - 03 Belle Fourche 21.4 mi 5.2
BLACK HILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spearfish 25.2 mi 6.7
Spearfish Academy at Canyon Hills Elementary - 09 Spearfish 25.0 mi
Spearfish Academy at Canyon Hills High School - 10 Spearfish 25.0 mi
Lead-Deadwood Elementary - 03 Deadwood 27.9 mi 6.4
Creekside Elementary - 07 Spearfish 25.8 mi 6.4
Mountain View Elementary - 08 Spearfish 26.2 mi 6.5
Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05 Piedmont 33.4 mi 8.0
Spearfish High School - 01 Spearfish 26.1 mi 6.0
Spearfish Middle School - 05 Spearfish 26.2 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57760 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,750

Median Home Value

$144,000

Median Rent

$1,067/mo

Population

1,084

College Educated

22.8%

Homeownership

91.3%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

45.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Newell Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $53,750. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,000, with a median rent of $1,067/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Burke Elementary - 02 Burke, SD 7.6
Worthing Elementary - 05 Lennox, SD 7.6
Corsica-Stickney Elementary - 02 Stickney, SD 7.5
Ethan Elementary - 02 Ethan, SD 7.5
Langford Area Elementary - 02 Langford, SD 7.5
Sanborn Central Elementary - 06 Forestburg, SD 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Newell Elementary - 02

What grades does Newell Elementary - 02 serve?

Newell Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Newell Elementary - 02?

Newell Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 125 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Newell Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Newell Elementary - 02 is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Newell Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Newell Elementary - 02 is ranked #130 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Newell Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Newell Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Newell Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Newell Elementary - 02 has 24.7% math proficiency and 34.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Newell Elementary - 02 a charter school?

No, Newell Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Newell Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

No, Newell Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Newell Elementary - 02?

46.4% of students at Newell 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

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
125
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Butte County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Newell School District 09-2
District Enrollment
243
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,872
District Rank
#1 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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