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
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northwestern Middle School - 02 — Students at Northwestern Middle School - 02 score 54% 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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How Northwestern Middle School - 02 Compares
See how Northwestern Middle School - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 54.5% (2019) to 62% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- 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
- #2 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.
Read our full methodologyGet 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.