Average
#299 of 574 schools in SD
Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03
Elementary School · Parkston School District 33-3
42021 268th St, Parkston, SD 57366
Enrollment
36
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
36
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Parkston
#3 of 4
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#134 of 271
In district
#3 of 4
Parkston School District 33-3
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03
Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 is a small, rural elementary school located in Parkston, South Dakota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 36 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 with two full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is quite remote, offering a close-knit community where everyone knows each other.
While Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 currently ranks in the lower quartile of South Dakota schools (439 out of 586), it focuses on student development and has room for academic growth. On recent assessments, 41% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 22% showed proficiency in Math. The school's remote location provides a unique rural experience where community involvement is strong and personal connections thrive.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 36 students, Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 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, Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 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
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Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 — Students at Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 Compares
See how Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2009) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2009) to 49.5% (2022).
Location
42021 268th St, Parkston, SD 57366
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hanson Elementary - 06 (rated 9.0/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Alexandria), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04 (rated 8.6/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Freeman), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ethan Elementary - 02 (rated 7.7/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Ethan), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Parkston, see our Parkston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| New Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 08 Ethan | 1.8 mi | — |
| Oaklane Colony Elementary - 05 Alexandria | 2.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Rockport Colony Elementary- 10 Alexandria | 3.5 mi | — |
| Rosedale Colony Elementary - 11 Mitchell | 9.7 mi | — |
| Hanson High School - 01 Alexandria | 11.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Hanson Middle School - 02 Alexandria | 11.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Hanson Elementary - 06 Alexandria | 11.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Tschetter Colony Elementary - 03 Freeman | 10.3 mi | 2.2 |
| Millbrook Colony Elementary - 04 Alexandria | 12.5 mi | — |
| Hanson Colony Alternative High School - 07 Alexandria | 12.5 mi | — |
| Ethan Elementary - 02 Ethan | 10.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Ethan High School - 01 Ethan | 10.1 mi | 9.2 |
| Ethan Jr. High - 03 Ethan | 10.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Bridgewater-Emery High School - 01 Emery | 11.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Bridgewater-Emery Middle School - 04 Emery | 11.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Parkston Elementary - 02 Parkston | 11.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Parkston High School - 01 Parkston | 11.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Parkston Middle School - 05 Parkston | 11.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Our Home Parkston | 11.6 mi | — |
| Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04 Freeman | 13.3 mi | 8.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57366 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,750
Median Home Value
$173,400
Median Rent
$748/mo
Population
2,619
College Educated
22.3%
Homeownership
75.6%
Avg Commute
14.6 min
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 has a median household income of $75,750. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,400, with a median rent of $748/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ST THOMAS SCHOOL Madison, SD | 6.3 |
| LAKOTA WALDORF SCHOOL Kyle, SD | 6.1 |
| Oaklane Colony Elementary - 05 Alexandria, SD | 6.0 |
| Grass Ranch Colony Elementary - 13 Kimball, SD | 6.5 |
| Norris Elementary - 08 White River, SD | 6.6 |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem, SD | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03
What grades does Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 serve?
Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03?
Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 36 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03?
The student-teacher ratio at Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 rank in SD?
Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 is ranked #299 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03's MySchoolScout rating?
Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 has 34.0% math proficiency and 57.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 a charter school?
No, Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 a Title I school?
No, Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03?
91.7% of students at Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 36
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hutchinson County
- Phone
- (605) 928-3368
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Parkston School District 33-3- District Enrollment
- 569
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,564
- District Rank
- #3 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.
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