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
Enrollment
46
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Norris Elementary - 08 — Students at Norris Elementary - 08 score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Norris Elementary - 08 Compares
See how Norris Elementary - 08 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (605) 462-6455
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
White River School District 47-1- District Enrollment
- 416
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,516
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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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