Average

#214 of 574 schools in SD

Top 37% in state

Northwestern High School - 01

High School · Northwestern Area School District 56-7

221 3rd St, Mellette, SD 57461

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#214 of 574

In Mellette

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

Northwestern Area School District 56-7

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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High School in Mellette · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Northwestern High School - 01

Northwestern High School - 01 is a public high school in Mellette, SD, part of Northwestern Area School District 56-7. Northwestern High School - 01 serves approximately 88 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwestern High School - 01 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #214 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Northwestern High School - 01 show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.4 pts above district

6.9

This school 6.9 · Average
District avg 5.5
SD avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

At 88 students, Northwestern High School - 01 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 High School - 01 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 · 4/4 metrics

Student Progress8.3Excellent25%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics9.4Excellent25%

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

View breakdown

Math Proficiency49.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency90% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency70% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+17.2 pts

Adjusted Percentile90th

College Readiness4.1Below Average30%

Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.

View breakdown

4-Year Graduation Rate80%+

AP Participation3.4%

IB ProgramNo

Resources & Environment6.4Average20%

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

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1

Per-Pupil Spending$12,473

Chronic Absenteeism29.5%

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 52.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 73.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009

Math

90%

ELA

69.5%

2010

Math

69.5%

ELA

69.5%

2011

Math

69.5%

ELA

69.5%

2012

Math

90%

ELA

90%

2014

Math

30%

ELA

69.5%

2015

Math

24.5%

ELA

75%

2016

Math

30%

ELA

69.5%

2017

Math

75%

ELA

75%

2018

Math

30%

ELA

49.5%

2019

Math

30%

ELA

49.5%

2020*

Math

49.5%

ELA

90%

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: 8.3/10.

How Northwestern High School - 01 Compares

See how Northwestern High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

6.9/10

63th percentile in SD

Academic

9.4/10

Excellent

Growth

8.3/10

Excellent

Environment

6.4/10

Average

AP Courses

State avg: 2.1

Sports

5 boys' · 5 girls'

Advanced STEM

5/5

Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

14%

Teaching Staff

13:1 student-teacher ratio

7 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

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

29.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered

3.4% participation·State avg: 2.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22

Athletics10sports offered

5 boys'·5 girls'·10 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22

Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered

Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Warner High School - 01 (rated 7.4/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Warner), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Redfield High School - 01 (rated 7.3/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Redfield), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Central High School - 01 (rated 5.8/10, 19.9 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 Elementary - 04 Mellette	0.0 mi	124	7.2
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
Andes Central High School - 01 Lake Andes, SD	62	6.9
Frederick High School - 01 Frederick, SD	66	7.0
Gregory High School - 01 Gregory, SD	114	7.0
Alcester-Hudson High School - 01 Alcester, SD	111	6.8
Avon High School - 01 Avon, SD	76	6.8
Lyman High School - 01 Presho, SD	97	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 ranks #214 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Northwestern High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwestern High School - 01 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 High School - 01?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwestern High School - 01 has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.