Average

#231 of 574 schools in SD

Top 40% in state

Northwestern Middle School - 02

Middle School · Northwestern Area School District 56-7

221 3rd St, Mellette, SD 57461

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

6.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

6.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#231 of 574

In Mellette

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Northwestern Area School District 56-7

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Middle School in Mellette · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Northwestern Middle School - 02

Northwestern Middle School - 02 is a public middle school in Mellette, SD, part of Northwestern Area School District 56-7. Northwestern Middle School - 02 serves approximately 59 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwestern Middle School - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #231 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Northwestern Middle School - 02 show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts above SD schools

6.8

This school 6.8 · Average
SD avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 59 students, Northwestern Middle School - 02 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 Middle School - 02 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 Progress7.4Very Good40%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-1.96 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics7.4Very Good35%

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

View breakdown

Math Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency62% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

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

vs. Expected+2.0 pts

Adjusted Percentile61th

Resources & Environment5.0Average25%

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

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1

Per-Pupil Spending$12,473

Northwestern Middle School - 02 — Students at Northwestern Middle School - 02 score 54% 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 57.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 62.4% (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

77%

ELA

77%

2010

Math

84.5%

ELA

74.5%

2011

Math

84.5%

ELA

64.5%

2012

Math

74.5%

ELA

74.5%

2014

Math

34.5%

ELA

44.5%

2015

Math

42%

ELA

42%

2016

Math

47%

ELA

57%

2017

Math

47%

ELA

72%

2018

Math

54.5%

ELA

54.5%

2019

Math

54.5%

ELA

54.5%

2020*

Math

47%

ELA

67%

2021*

Math

47%

ELA

67%

2022

Math

47%

ELA

62%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Northwestern Middle School - 02 Compares

See how Northwestern Middle School - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

6.8/10

60th percentile in SD

Academic

7.4/10

Very Good

Growth

7.4/10

Very Good

Environment

5.0/10

Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

14%

Teaching Staff

15:1 student-teacher ratio

4 teachers

Location

221 3rd St, Mellette, SD 57461

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwestern Middle School - 02 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Warner Middle School - 03 (rated 7.6/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Warner), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Simmons Middle School - 03 (rated 4.6/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Aberdeen), a more accessible option. Additionally, Redfield Middle School - 02 (rated 4.4/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Redfield), 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 Elementary - 04 Mellette	0.0 mi	124	7.2
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
Wall Middle School - 06 Wall, SD	59	6.8
Canistota Middle School - 03 Canistota, SD	67	6.7
Centerville Middle School - 03 Centerville, SD	69	6.7
Chester Middle School - 03 Chester, SD	69	7.0
Corsica-Stickney Jr. High - 03 Corsica, SD	64	7.0
Freeman Jr High - 05 Freeman, SD	61	7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwestern Middle School - 02

What grades does Northwestern Middle School - 02 serve?

Northwestern Middle School - 02 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Northwestern Middle School - 02?

Northwestern Middle School - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 59 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Middle School - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Middle School - 02 is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwestern Middle School - 02 rank in SD?

Northwestern Middle School - 02 ranks #231 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Northwestern Middle School - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwestern Middle School - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Middle School - 02?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwestern Middle School - 02 has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Northwestern Middle School - 02 a charter school?

No, Northwestern Middle School - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northwestern Middle School - 02 a Title I school?

No, Northwestern Middle School - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwestern Middle School - 02?

13.6% of students at Northwestern Middle School - 02 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.