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Average

#249 of 574 schools in SD

Top 43% in state

Norris Elementary - 08

Elementary School · White River School District 47-1

PO Box 273, White River, SD 57579

Enrollment

46

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In White River

#2 of 4

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#124 of 271

In district

#2 of 4

White River School District 47-1

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Norris Elementary - 08

Norris Elementary - 08 is a small, rural elementary school located in the remote area of White River, South Dakota. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 46 students and maintains a close-knit community with a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1. The school's five full-time equivalent teachers provide personalized attention to each child.

Academically, Norris Elementary - 08 focuses on student development in a setting where resources can be limited but supportive relationships thrive. With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of 485 out of 586 schools (17th percentile), the school has room for academic growth, particularly in areas such as ELA/Reading and Math, where only 15% of students are proficient or above. Norris Elementary - 08 is situated in an area with few nearby amenities, offering a tight-knit community atmosphere that fosters strong connections among families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 46 students, Norris Elementary - 08 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.

While current test scores at Norris Elementary - 08 are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, Norris Elementary - 08 offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-13.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,446

Norris Elementary - 08 — Students at Norris Elementary - 08 score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 15.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Norris Elementary - 08 Compares

See how Norris Elementary - 08 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
57th percentile in SD
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

PO Box 273, White River, SD 57579

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Norris Elementary - 08 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kadoka Elementary - 02 (rated 8.8/10, 29.6 miles away, in nearby Kadoka), which scores notably higher. Another option is SAPA UN CATHOLIC ACADEMY ELEMENTARY (rated 8.1/10, 27.3 miles away, in nearby Saint Francis), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jones County Elementary - 02 (rated 8.0/10, 37.9 miles away, in nearby Murdo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in White River, see our White River schools guide .

Nearby Schools

17 within 38.0 mi
School Distance Rating
He Dog Elementary - 05 Parmelee 13.9 mi 5.2
Longvalley Elementary - 10 Kadoka 15.2 mi
Spring Creek Elementary - 07 St. Francis 25.8 mi 6.0
Rosebud Elementary - 04 Rosebud 23.9 mi 4.7
SAPA UN CATHOLIC ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Saint Francis 27.3 mi 8.1
St. Francis Indian School St. Francis 27.4 mi
White River High School - 01 White River 23.9 mi 7.2
White River Middle School - 04 White River 24.0 mi 5.9
White River Elementary - 02 White River 24.0 mi 5.5
Crazy Horse School Wanblee 24.4 mi
Kadoka Area High School - 01 Kadoka 29.6 mi 8.1
Kadoka Elementary - 02 Kadoka 29.6 mi 8.8
Kadoka Middle School - 03 Kadoka 29.6 mi 7.9
Lakeview Elementary - 09 Crookston 35.5 mi 4.5
Jones County Elementary - 02 Murdo 37.9 mi 8.0
Jones County High School - 01 Murdo 38.0 mi 8.9
Jones County Middle School - 04 Murdo 38.0 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57579 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,913

Median Home Value

$58,800

Median Rent

$818/mo

Population

1,473

College Educated

16.7%

Homeownership

66%

Poverty Rate

41.7%

Median Age

36.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Norris Elementary - 08 has a median household income of $53,913. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $58,800, with a median rent of $818/month. The area has a poverty rate of 41.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem, SD 6.6
Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04 Freeman, SD 6.6
Red Shirt School - 04 Batesland, SD 6.7
Avon Elementary - 02 Avon, SD 6.8
Grass Ranch Colony Elementary - 13 Kimball, SD 6.8
Oelrichs Elementary - 02 Oelrichs, SD 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Norris Elementary - 08

What grades does Norris Elementary - 08 serve?

Norris Elementary - 08 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Norris Elementary - 08?

Norris Elementary - 08 has an enrollment of approximately 46 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Norris Elementary - 08?

The student-teacher ratio at Norris Elementary - 08 is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Norris Elementary - 08 rank in SD?

Norris Elementary - 08 is ranked #249 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Norris Elementary - 08's MySchoolScout rating?

Norris Elementary - 08 has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Norris Elementary - 08?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Norris Elementary - 08 has 15.0% math proficiency and 15.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Norris Elementary - 08 a charter school?

No, Norris Elementary - 08 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Norris Elementary - 08 a Title I school?

No, Norris Elementary - 08 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Norris Elementary - 08?

100.0% of students at Norris Elementary - 08 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
46
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Mellette County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

White River School District 47-1
District Enrollment
416
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,516
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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