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Very Good

#195 of 574 schools in SD

Top 34% in state

Northwestern Middle School - 02

Middle School · Northwestern Area School District 56-7

221 3rd St, Mellette, SD 57461

Enrollment

59

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mellette

#2 of 4

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#40 of 144

In district

#2 of 4

Northwestern Area School District 56-7

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Northwestern Middle School - 02

Northwestern Middle School - 02 is a small rural middle school located in Mellette, South Dakota. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of just 59 students, offering a close-knit community where each student receives individual attention. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, the four full-time equivalent teachers can focus on meeting the unique needs of every child.

Academically, Northwestern Middle School - 02 ranks in the 62nd percentile among South Dakota middle schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.9 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 7.0 out of 10. In reading and ELA, 61% of students are proficient or above, while 50% achieve proficiency in math. The school is situated in a remote rural setting where the community values education and works hard to support student development despite limited resources.

Northwestern Middle School - 02 thrives within its close-knit rural community, fostering strong relationships between teachers, students, and families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 59 students, Northwestern Middle School - 02 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 Middle School - 02 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.4Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,684

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 49.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
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: 7.5/10.

How Northwestern Middle School - 02 Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
66th percentile in SD
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above 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 Redfield Middle School - 02 (rated 4.5/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Redfield), a more accessible option. Additionally, Simmons Middle School - 03 (rated 4.2/10, 20.4 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 Rating
Northwestern High School - 01 Mellette 0.0 mi 7.0
Northwestern Elementary - 04 Mellette 0.0 mi 6.2
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 Middle School - 02 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
Frederick Area Middle School - 03 Frederick, SD 7.1
Lemmon Jr. High - 06 Lemmon, SD 7.1
Parker Jr. High - 03 Parker, SD 6.9
Bridgewater-Emery Middle School - 04 Emery, SD 7.2
Chester Middle School - 03 Chester, SD 6.8
Elkton Jr. High - 03 Elkton, SD 6.8

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 is ranked #195 out of 574 schools in SD.

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

Northwestern Middle School - 02 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 Middle School - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern Middle School - 02 has 49.5% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
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
#2 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

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