Average
#301 of 574 schools in SD
Northwestern Elementary - 04
Elementary School · Northwestern Area School District 56-7
221 3rd St, Mellette, SD 57461
Enrollment
124
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
124
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mellette
#3 of 4
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#144 of 271
In district
#3 of 4
Northwestern Area School District 56-7
About Northwestern Elementary - 04
Northwestern Elementary - 04 is a regular public elementary school nestled in the remote rural area of Mellette, South Dakota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 124 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers. Northwestern Elementary focuses on providing a supportive educational environment that encourages academic growth and development.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 5.0/10 and state ranking of #336 out of 586 schools in South Dakota reflect areas where the school is working to enhance its offerings. With an average ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 51% and a Math proficiency rate of 54%, Northwestern Elementary aims to strengthen its academic programs while ensuring each student receives personalized attention. Northwestern Elementary - 04 is situated in a small, close-knit community where families are deeply involved in the school’s activities.
The setting offers a unique rural experience that fosters strong bonds among students and their families.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 124 students, Northwestern Elementary - 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, Northwestern Elementary - 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
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Northwestern Elementary - 04 — Students at Northwestern Elementary - 04 score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.3%
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: 6.0/10.
How Northwestern Elementary - 04 Compares
See how Northwestern Elementary - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 54.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
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 7.7/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Warner), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lincoln Elementary - 08 (rated 7.6/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Aberdeen), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Redfield Elementary - 03 (rated 7.2/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Redfield), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Mellette, see our Mellette schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern High School - 01 Mellette | 0.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Northwestern Middle School - 02 Mellette | 0.0 mi | 7.0 |
| iSucceed - 92 Mellette | 0.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Warner Elementary - 02 Warner | 11.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Warner High School - 01 Warner | 11.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Warner Middle School - 03 Warner | 11.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Turtle Creek High School - 04 Redfield | 18.7 mi | — |
| Redfield Elementary - 03 Redfield | 19.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Redfield High School - 01 Redfield | 19.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Redfield Middle School - 02 Redfield | 19.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Redfield Virtual School - 92 Redfield | 19.3 mi | — |
| Central High School - 01 Aberdeen | 19.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Simmons Elementary - 10 Aberdeen | 20.2 mi | 5.3 |
| May Overby Elementary - 09 Aberdeen | 20.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Simmons Middle School - 03 Aberdeen | 20.4 mi | 4.2 |
| SDSBVI Elementary - 01 Aberdeen | 20.4 mi | — |
| SDSBVI High School - 02 Aberdeen | 20.4 mi | — |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aberdeen | 20.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary - 08 Aberdeen | 21.0 mi | 7.6 |
| BEHAVIORAL CARE SPECIALISTS LEARNING CENTER Aberdeen | 21.1 mi | — |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwestern Elementary - 04 has a median household income of $105,625. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,100. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Kimball Elementary - 02 Kimball, SD | 6.2 |
| Scotland Elementary - 02 Scotland, SD | 6.2 |
| Tri-Valley Elementary in Colton - 02 Colton, SD | 6.2 |
| Lemmon Elementary - 02 Lemmon, SD | 6.3 |
| Marion Elementary - 02 Marion, SD | 6.1 |
| Menno Elementary - 02 Menno, SD | 6.1 |
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 is ranked #301 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Northwestern Elementary - 04's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwestern Elementary - 04 has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Northwestern Elementary - 04?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern Elementary - 04 has 54.5% math proficiency and 51.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (302/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 124
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Spink County
- Phone
- (605) 887-3467
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northwestern Area School District 56-7- District Enrollment
- 359
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,473
- District Rank
- #3 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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