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Needs Improvement

#568 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

3.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chester

#6 of 6

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#268 of 271

In district

#6 of 6

Chester Area School District 39-1

About Rustic Acres Elementary - 04

Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 is a small rural school located in Chester, South Dakota. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 39 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13:1 with three full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting offers a close-knit community where each child receives individual attention from dedicated educators.

Academically, Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 ranks #551 out of 586 schools in South Dakota and has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0/10, indicating there is room for academic growth. In terms of proficiency scores, 50% of students are at or above grade level in ELA/Reading, while 43% meet or exceed standards in Math. Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 is nestled in a rural area where the community feels tight-knit and supportive.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 39 students, Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 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, Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 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 Progress1.5Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-12.9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,721

Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 — Students at Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.8%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Compares

See how Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
1th percentile in SD
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
1.5/10
Below average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

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. Montrose Elementary - 02 (rated 9.1/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Montrose), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 (rated 7.4/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Hartford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST THOMAS SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Madison), which scores notably 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 6.1
MADISON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison 8.6 mi
ST THOMAS SCHOOL Madison 9.5 mi 6.3
Madison High School - 01 Madison 10.0 mi 3.4
Madison Middle School - 02 Madison 10.0 mi 5.5
Madison Elementary - 07 Madison 10.1 mi 5.3
Chester High School - 01 Chester 8.6 mi 6.5
Chester Elementary -02 Chester 8.6 mi 5.9
Chester Middle School - 03 Chester 8.6 mi 6.8
Chester Area Cyber School - 92 Chester 8.6 mi 5.9
High Plains - 06 Chester 8.6 mi 4.9
Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose 12.8 mi 9.1
Montrose High School - 01 Montrose 12.8 mi 6.3
Montrose Middle School - 03 Montrose 12.8 mi 5.3
Graceville Colony - 07 Winfred 10.1 mi
Tri-Valley High School - 01 Colton 13.0 mi 7.7
Tri-Valley Intermediate School - 03 Colton 13.0 mi 3.6
Tri-Valley Elementary in Colton - 02 Colton 13.0 mi 6.2
West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 Hartford 16.0 mi 7.4
West Central Hartford Elementary - 05 Hartford 18.9 mi 5.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 has a median household income of $92,125. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $225,600, with a median rent of $1,107/month. The local poverty rate of 1.2% 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
Dawson Colony School - 20 Scotland, SD 2.9
McIntosh Elementary - 02 Mcintosh, SD 3.5
Maxwell Colony Elementary - 04 Menno, SD 3.8
Oaklane Colony Elementary - 05 Alexandria, SD 4.3
Goldenview Colony School - 04 Salem, SD
Lakeview Colony Elementary - 05 Lake Andes, SD

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 is ranked #568 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Rustic Acres Elementary - 04's MySchoolScout rating?

Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Rustic Acres Elementary - 04?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 has 43.3% math proficiency and 49.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (145/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chester Area School District 39-1
District Enrollment
542
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,311
District Rank
#6 of 6

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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