Very Good
#136 of 574 schools in SD
Top 24% in state
South Central Elementary - 03
Elementary School · South Central 26-5
401 Birdsell St, Bonesteel, SD 57317
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
8.3:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
8.3:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Dakota schools
#136 of 574
School environment
10.0 / 10
Excellent
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South Central Elementary - 03
Elementary School in Bonesteel · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Boyd County Elementary (butte)
12.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Boyd County High School (spencer)
18.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Central Elementary - 03
South Central Elementary - 03 is a public elementary school in Bonesteel, SD, part of South Central 26-5. South Central Elementary - 03 serves approximately 58 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 8.3:1 student-teacher ratio. South Central Elementary - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #136 of 574 schools in SD.
Structured state assessment records for South Central Elementary - 03 show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- SD avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 58 students, South Central Elementary - 03 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.
At 8.3:1 students to teachers, South Central Elementary - 03 sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
South Central Elementary - 03 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
South Central Elementary - 03 — Students at South Central Elementary - 03 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 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: 6.7/10.
How South Central Elementary - 03 Compares
See how South Central Elementary - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
401 Birdsell St, Bonesteel, SD 57317
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Central Elementary - 03 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BOYD COUNTY ELEMENTARY (BUTTE) (rated 9.1/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Butte), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14 (rated 8.9/10, 32.2 miles away, in nearby Platte), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Platte - Geddes Elementary - 02 (rated 8.1/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Platte), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bonesteel, see our Bonesteel schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 34.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BOYD COUNTY ELEMENTARY (BUTTE) Butte | 12.7 mi | 9.1 |
| BOYD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL (SPENCER) Spencer | 18.8 mi | 6.2 |
| BOYD COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL (SPENCER) Spencer | 18.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Platte - Geddes High School - 01 Platte | 22.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Platte - Geddes Jr. High - 03 Platte | 22.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Platte - Geddes Elementary - 02 Platte | 22.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Burke Elementary - 02 Burke | 18.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Burke High School - 01 Burke | 18.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Burke Middle School - 04 Burke | 18.5 mi | 5.0 |
| DAKOTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Corsica | 25.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Andes Central Elementary - 02 Lake Andes | 21.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Andes Central High School - 01 Lake Andes | 21.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Andes Central Middle School - 04 Lake Andes | 21.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Platte Colony Elementary - 10 Platte | 28.5 mi | — |
| Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14 Platte | 32.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Gregory Elementary - 02 Gregory | 26.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Gregory High School - 01 Gregory | 26.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Gregory Junior High - 04 Gregory | 26.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Lakeview Colony Elementary - 05 Lake Andes | 26.6 mi | — |
| STUART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Stuart | 34.3 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57317 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,500
Median Home Value
$120,300
Median Rent
$545/mo
Population
621
College Educated
18.6%
Homeownership
62.4%
Poverty Rate
26.3%
Median Age
41.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Little Eagle School Little Eagle, SD | 7.6 |
| Herreid Elementary - 02 Herreid, SD | 7.7 |
| Jones County Elementary - 02 Murdo, SD | 7.2 |
| CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY LOVING SCHOOL Sioux Falls, SD | 8.1 |
| SAPA UN CATHOLIC ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Saint Francis, SD | 8.1 |
| BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S HOME Rapid City, SD | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Central Elementary - 03
What grades does South Central Elementary - 03 serve?
South Central Elementary - 03 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Central Elementary - 03?
South Central Elementary - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 58 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Central Elementary - 03?
The student-teacher ratio at South Central Elementary - 03 is 8.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Central Elementary - 03 rank in SD?
South Central Elementary - 03 ranks #136 of 574 schools in SD.
What is South Central Elementary - 03's MySchoolScout rating?
South Central Elementary - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 South Central Elementary - 03?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Central Elementary - 03 has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is South Central Elementary - 03 a charter school?
No, South Central Elementary - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Central Elementary - 03 a Title I school?
No, South Central Elementary - 03 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Central Elementary - 03?
69.0% of students at South Central Elementary - 03 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 58
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Gregory County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 8.6%
- Phone
- (605) 654-2314
Resources & Links
District
South Central 26-5- District Enrollment
- 93
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,356
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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