Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+10.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90%
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+17.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College Readiness2.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,684

Northwestern High School - 01 — Students at Northwestern High School - 01 score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 76.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
90%
2022
Math
49.5%
ELA
90%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
66th percentile in SD
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (302/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Northwestern Area School District 56-7
District Enrollment
359
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,473
District Rank
#1 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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.