Average
#349 of 574 schools in SD
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04
Elementary School · Chester Area School District 39-1
PO Box 159, Chester, SD 57016
Enrollment
39
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
39
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Dakota schools
#349 of 574
In Chester
#4 of 6
public schools
In district
#4 of 6
Chester Area School District 39-1
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Rustic Acres Elementary - 04
Elementary School in Chester · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Orland Colony Elementary - 04
6.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Madison Christian School
8.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Rustic Acres Elementary - 04
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 is a public elementary school in Chester, SD, part of Chester Area School District 39-1. Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 serves approximately 39 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #349 of 574 schools in SD.
Structured state assessment records for Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.7 · Average
- District avg 5.9
- SD avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 39 students, Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 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.
Test scores at Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 — Students at Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 6.8/10.
How Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Compares
See how Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Location
PO Box 159, Chester, SD 57016
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. West Central Hartford Elementary - 05 (rated 8.8/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Hartford), which scores notably higher. Another option is Montrose Elementary - 02 (rated 8.5/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Montrose), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 (rated 6.4/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Hartford), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chester, see our Chester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Orland Colony Elementary - 04 Montrose | 6.2 mi | 3.7 |
| MADISON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison | 8.6 mi | — |
| ST THOMAS SCHOOL Madison | 9.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Madison High School - 01 Madison | 10.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Madison Middle School - 02 Madison | 10.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Madison Elementary - 07 Madison | 10.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Chester High School - 01 Chester | 8.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Chester Elementary -02 Chester | 8.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Chester Middle School - 03 Chester | 8.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Chester Area Cyber School - 92 Chester | 8.6 mi | 4.3 |
| High Plains - 06 Chester | 8.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose | 12.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Montrose High School - 01 Montrose | 12.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Montrose Middle School - 03 Montrose | 12.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Graceville Colony - 07 Winfred | 10.1 mi | — |
| Tri-Valley High School - 01 Colton | 13.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Tri-Valley Intermediate School - 03 Colton | 13.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Tri-Valley Elementary in Colton - 02 Colton | 13.0 mi | 5.2 |
| West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 Hartford | 16.0 mi | 6.4 |
| West Central Hartford Elementary - 05 Hartford | 18.9 mi | 8.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$92,125
Median Home Value
$225,600
Median Rent
$1,107/mo
Population
680
College Educated
31.4%
Homeownership
90.5%
Poverty Rate
1.2%
Median Age
51.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Spring Creek Colony Elementary - 04 Leola, SD | 5.5 |
| Blumengard Colony Elementary - 06 Faulkton, SD | 5.4 |
| SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois, SD | 5.4 |
| LAKOTA WALDORF SCHOOL Kyle, SD | 6.1 |
| Oaklane Colony Elementary - 05 Alexandria, SD | 6.1 |
| Rock Creek Grant School Bullhead, SD | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rustic Acres Elementary - 04
What grades does Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 serve?
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Rustic Acres Elementary - 04?
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 39 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rustic Acres Elementary - 04?
The student-teacher ratio at Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 rank in SD?
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 ranks #349 of 574 schools in SD.
What is Rustic Acres Elementary - 04's MySchoolScout rating?
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Rustic Acres Elementary - 04?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 a charter school?
No, Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 a Title I school?
No, Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 39
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (605) 489-2411
Resources & Links
District
Chester Area School District 39-1- District Enrollment
- 542
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,311
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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