Very Good
#194 of 574 schools in SD
Top 34% in state
Northwestern High School - 01
High School · Northwestern Area School District 56-7
221 3rd St, Mellette, SD 57461
Enrollment
88
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
88
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mellette
#1 of 4
public schools
South Dakota high schools
#54 of 156
In district
#1 of 4
Northwestern Area School District 56-7
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwestern High School - 01
Northwestern High School - 01 serves 88 students in grades 9-12 in the small community of Mellette, South Dakota. With just 7 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and close relationships between students and educators. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 31st out of 586 high schools statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile.
Students particularly excel in English Language Arts and reading, with 90% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance shows room for growth, with 50% of students meeting proficiency standards. Northwestern High School draws students from a stable rural community where the median household income of $78,750 exceeds many rural areas.
The local population of 304 residents reflects the tight-knit nature of this agricultural region, with 23% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 12.5%. Located on 3rd Street in Mellette, this high school operates in Spink County's remote rural landscape, providing a close community educational experience where students can develop strong connections with peers and teachers while preparing for their post-graduation futures.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 88 students, Northwestern High School - 01 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 High School - 01 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 High School - 01 — Students at Northwestern High School - 01 score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Northwestern High School - 01 Compares
See how Northwestern High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 49.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49.5% (2019) to 90% (2022).
Location
221 3rd St, Mellette, SD 57461
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwestern High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Redfield High School - 01 (rated 7.1/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Redfield), with a very similar rating. Another option is Central High School - 01 (rated 6.9/10, 19.9 miles away, in nearby Aberdeen), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Warner High School - 01 (rated 6.6/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Warner), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mellette, see our Mellette schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Elementary - 04 Mellette | 0.0 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 High School - 01 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 |
|---|---|
| Alcester-Hudson High School - 01 Alcester, SD | 7.0 |
| Community Campus - 41 Sioux Falls, SD | 7.0 |
| Lead-Deadwood Career & Technical Education - 10 Nemo, SD | 7.0 |
| Wolsey Wessington High School - 01 Wolsey, SD | 7.0 |
| Wakpala High School - 01 Wakpala, SD | 7.1 |
| Gettysburg High School - 01 Gettysburg, SD | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwestern High School - 01
What grades does Northwestern High School - 01 serve?
Northwestern High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Northwestern High School - 01?
Northwestern High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 88 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern High School - 01?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern High School - 01 is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwestern High School - 01 rank in SD?
Northwestern High School - 01 is ranked #194 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Northwestern High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwestern High School - 01 has a composite rating of 7.0 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 High School - 01?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern High School - 01 has 43.0% math proficiency and 76.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwestern High School - 01 a charter school?
No, Northwestern High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwestern High School - 01 a Title I school?
No, Northwestern High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwestern High School - 01?
13.6% of students at Northwestern High School - 01 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 88
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.6%
- 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
- #1 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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