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Excellent

#5 of 56 private schools in SD

Top 7% of private schools

Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary

Elementary School

350 S OAK ST, Saint Francis, SD 57572

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SD statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

43

Student-Teacher

8.6:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

South Dakota elementary schools

#3 of 33

About Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary

SAPA UN Catholic Academy Elementary serves 43 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Saint Francis, South Dakota. This small school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention and individualized instruction that larger schools often cannot provide. The school has earned a solid 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 31st among South Dakota's 56 elementary schools, placing it in the 46th percentile statewide.

This performance demonstrates the school's commitment to providing quality education despite operating in a challenging economic environment. The intimate classroom sizes foster close relationships between students and teachers, creating opportunities for mentorship and tailored learning approaches. In a school this small, every student is known by name, and teachers can adapt their instruction to meet individual learning styles and needs.

SAPA UN Catholic Academy Elementary operates in Todd County, where the median household income is $28,750 and the poverty rate reaches 60.1%. Despite these economic challenges, the school continues to serve its community with dedication. The school sits in a remote rural setting in South Dakota, where it plays a vital role in the educational foundation of local families in this tight-knit community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 43 students, Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1, Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in SD.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 9 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,620
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 45%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.8 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 43
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in SD

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Native American 86.0%
Asian 9.3%
Black 4.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

350 S OAK ST, Saint Francis, SD 57572

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CODY-KILGORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Kilgore), which scores slightly higher. Another option is VALENTINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 25.8 miles away, in nearby Valentine), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Todd County Elementary - 16 (rated 6.7/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Mission), a more accessible option. For more schools in Saint Francis, see our Saint Francis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 30.7 mi
School Distance Rating
St. Francis Indian School St. Francis 0.3 mi
Rosebud Elementary - 04 Rosebud 6.9 mi 4.7
Spring Creek Elementary - 07 St. Francis 6.5 mi 6.0
Lakeview Elementary - 09 Crookston 9.0 mi 4.5
CODY-KILGORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kilgore 14.1 mi 8.8
He Dog Elementary - 05 Parmelee 13.4 mi 5.2
Resource Center - 11 Mission 16.6 mi
Todd County Achievement High School - 17 Mission 16.6 mi 6.2
Todd County Elementary - 16 Mission 16.5 mi 6.7
Todd County Achievement Middle School - 18 Mission 16.6 mi
Todd County High School - 01 Mission 16.7 mi 5.9
Todd County Middle School - 10 Mission 16.7 mi 5.5
CODY-KILGORE HIGH SCHOOL Cody 22.3 mi 8.5
CODY-KILGORE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cody 22.3 mi 5.8
VALENTINE MIDDLE SCHOOL Valentine 25.6 mi 8.4
Norris Elementary - 08 White River 27.3 mi 6.6
VALENTINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Valentine 25.8 mi 7.1
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Valentine 25.9 mi
VALENTINE HIGH SCHOOL Valentine 25.9 mi 5.6
White River High School - 01 White River 30.7 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57572 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,250

Median Home Value

$35,000

Median Rent

$573/mo

Population

1,457

College Educated

18.3%

Homeownership

52.8%

Poverty Rate

57.8%

Median Age

24.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary has a median household income of $36,250. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $35,000, with a median rent of $573/month. The area has a poverty rate of 57.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hutterische Colony Elementary - 18 Tabor, SD 8.1
Pembrook Colony Elementary - 06 Ipswich, SD 8.1
BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S HOME Rapid City, SD 8.2
Blumengard Colony Elementary - 06 Faulkton, SD 8.2
Springfield Elementary - 03 Springfield, SD 8.0
Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14 Platte, SD 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary

What grades does Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary serve?

Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary?

Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 43 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary rank in SD?

Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary is ranked #5 out of 56 private schools in SD.

What is Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 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.

Is Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary a private school?

Yes, Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary a religious school?

Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
43
Gender Split
56% M / 44% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
9 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Remote Rural
County
TODD
Data Year
2022–2023

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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