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
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
Enrollment
43
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (605) 747-2361
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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