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
Enrollment
39
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 — Students at Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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
↓ 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: 1.5/10.
How Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Compares
See how Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 49.5% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (605) 489-2411
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chester Area School District 39-1- District Enrollment
- 542
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,311
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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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