Very Good

#182 of 574 schools in SD

Top 32% in state

Northwestern Elementary - 04

Elementary School · Northwestern Area School District 56-7

221 3rd St, Mellette, SD 57461

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

124

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Enrollment

124

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#182 of 574

In Mellette

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Northwestern Area School District 56-7

School environment

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Elementary School in Mellette · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Northwestern Elementary - 04

Northwestern Elementary - 04 is a public elementary school in Mellette, SD, part of Northwestern Area School District 56-7. Northwestern Elementary - 04 serves approximately 124 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwestern Elementary - 04 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #182 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Northwestern Elementary - 04 show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts above SD schools

7.2

This school 7.2 · Very Good
SD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 124 students, Northwestern Elementary - 04 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Northwestern Elementary - 04 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress7.3Very Good50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-2.06 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics6.3Average30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency54.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected-2.5 pts

Adjusted Percentile47th

Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1

Per-Pupil Spending$12,473

Chronic Absenteeism3.2%

Northwestern Elementary - 04 — Students at Northwestern Elementary - 04 score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 59.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 60.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009

Math

74.5%

ELA

64.5%

2010

Math

74.5%

ELA

74.5%

2011

Math

72%

ELA

77%

2012

Math

82%

ELA

72%

2014

Math

44.5%

ELA

64.5%

2015

Math

54.5%

ELA

64.5%

2016

Math

54.5%

ELA

54.5%

2017

Math

44.5%

ELA

54.5%

2018

Math

54.5%

ELA

54.5%

2019

Math

54.5%

ELA

54.5%

2020*

Math

54.5%

ELA

54.5%

2021*

Math

54.5%

ELA

54.5%

2022

Math

54.5%

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: 7.3/10.

How Northwestern Elementary - 04 Compares

See how Northwestern Elementary - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

7.2/10

69th percentile in SD

Academic

6.3/10

Average

Growth

7.3/10

Very Good

Environment

8.5/10

Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

15%

Teaching Staff

14:1 student-teacher ratio

9 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

3.2%

Location

221 3rd St, Mellette, SD 57461

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwestern Elementary - 04 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Warner Elementary - 02 (rated 9.2/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Warner), which scores notably higher. Another option is May Overby Elementary - 09 (rated 5.7/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Aberdeen), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lincoln Elementary - 08 (rated 5.1/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Aberdeen), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mellette, see our Mellette schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.1 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Northwestern High School - 01 Mellette	0.0 mi	88	6.9
Northwestern Middle School - 02 Mellette	0.0 mi	59	6.8
iSucceed - 92 Mellette	0.0 mi	64	4.1
Warner Elementary - 02 Warner	11.6 mi	149	9.2
Warner High School - 01 Warner	11.6 mi	90	7.4
Warner Middle School - 03 Warner	11.6 mi	73	7.6
Turtle Creek High School - 04 Redfield	18.7 mi	8	—
Redfield Elementary - 03 Redfield	19.3 mi	269	3.7
Redfield High School - 01 Redfield	19.3 mi	152	7.3
Redfield Middle School - 02 Redfield	19.3 mi	103	4.4
Redfield Virtual School - 92 Redfield	19.3 mi	2	—
Central High School - 01 Aberdeen	19.9 mi	1,374	5.8
Simmons Elementary - 10 Aberdeen	20.2 mi	416	3.9
May Overby Elementary - 09 Aberdeen	20.4 mi	353	5.7
Simmons Middle School - 03 Aberdeen	20.4 mi	458	4.6
SDSBVI Elementary - 01 Aberdeen	20.4 mi	7	—
SDSBVI High School - 02 Aberdeen	20.4 mi	11	—
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aberdeen	20.7 mi	59	4.5
Lincoln Elementary - 08 Aberdeen	21.0 mi	237	5.1
BEHAVIORAL CARE SPECIALISTS LEARNING CENTER Aberdeen	21.1 mi	18	—

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57461 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,625

Median Home Value

$161,100

Population

286

College Educated

27.8%

Homeownership

87.4%

Poverty Rate

6.3%

Median Age

53.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
Jones County Elementary - 02 Murdo, SD	78	7.2
New Underwood Elementary - 02 New Underwood, SD	121	7.3
Onida Elementary - 04 Onida, SD	85	7.3
Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 Wessington Springs, SD	140	7.3
CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City, SD	127	7.1
IMACULATE CONCEPTION Watertown, SD	162	7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwestern Elementary - 04

What grades does Northwestern Elementary - 04 serve?

Northwestern Elementary - 04 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Northwestern Elementary - 04?

Northwestern Elementary - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 124 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Elementary - 04?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Elementary - 04 is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwestern Elementary - 04 rank in SD?

Northwestern Elementary - 04 ranks #182 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Northwestern Elementary - 04's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwestern Elementary - 04 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Northwestern Elementary - 04?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwestern Elementary - 04 has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Northwestern Elementary - 04 a charter school?

No, Northwestern Elementary - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northwestern Elementary - 04 a Title I school?

No, Northwestern Elementary - 04 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwestern Elementary - 04?

15.3% of students at Northwestern Elementary - 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.