Average
#332 of 574 schools in SD
Spearfish High School - 01
High School · Spearfish School District 40-2
525 E Illinois, Spearfish, SD 57783
Enrollment
771
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
771
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spearfish
#5 of 5
public schools
South Dakota high schools
#100 of 156
In district
#5 of 5
Spearfish School District 40-2
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Spearfish High School - 01
Spearfish High School serves 771 students in grades 9 through 12 in the town of Spearfish, South Dakota. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1 with 44 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a moderately sized learning environment typical of rural high schools in the region. Academically, Spearfish High School ranks in the 73rd percentile among South Dakota schools, placing it at #160 out of 586 state schools.
The school's academic score of 7.9/10 reflects mixed performance across subject areas. In English Language Arts and Reading, 67% of students score proficient or above, which represents solid literacy skills across the student body. Mathematics performance shows room for growth, with 44% of students achieving proficiency or above.
This disparity between ELA and math suggests the school may benefit from continued focus on quantitative skill development. With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6/10, Spearfish High School offers a solid educational foundation for high school students in the community. The school's performance places it firmly in the middle range for South Dakota schools, indicating it provides a stable academic environment with particular strength in reading and language arts.
Located on E Illinois in the heart of Spearfish, the school serves as a central educational hub for the town's secondary students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Spearfish High School - 01 — Students at Spearfish High School - 01 score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Spearfish High School - 01 Compares
See how Spearfish High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
525 E Illinois, Spearfish, SD 57783
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spearfish High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lead-Deadwood High School - 01 (rated 7.8/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Lead), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lead-Deadwood Career & Technical Education - 10 (rated 7.0/10, 25.3 miles away, in nearby Nemo), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 (rated 5.2/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Belle Fourche), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Spearfish, see our Spearfish schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57783 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,970
Median Home Value
$332,300
Median Rent
$946/mo
Population
16,929
College Educated
40%
Homeownership
57.5%
Avg Commute
15.9 min
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Median Age
40
Community Profile
The community surrounding Spearfish High School - 01 has a median household income of $64,970. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $332,300, with a median rent of $946/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Huron High School - 01 Huron, SD | 5.9 |
| Todd County High School - 01 Mission, SD | 5.9 |
| T F Riggs High School - 01 Pierre, SD | 6.2 |
| Mitchell High School - 01 Mitchell, SD | 6.4 |
| Yankton High School - 01 Yankton, SD | 5.6 |
| Sturgis Brown High School - 01 Sturgis, SD | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spearfish High School - 01
What grades does Spearfish High School - 01 serve?
Spearfish High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Spearfish High School - 01?
Spearfish High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 771 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spearfish High School - 01?
The student-teacher ratio at Spearfish High School - 01 is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Spearfish High School - 01 rank in SD?
Spearfish High School - 01 is ranked #332 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Spearfish High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?
Spearfish High School - 01 has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Spearfish High School - 01?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spearfish High School - 01 has 43.7% math proficiency and 67.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Spearfish High School - 01 a charter school?
No, Spearfish High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Spearfish High School - 01 a Title I school?
No, Spearfish High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spearfish High School - 01?
14.0% of students at Spearfish High School - 01 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,087/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Spearfish). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 771
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 14.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lawrence County
- Phone
- (605) 717-1212
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Spearfish School District 40-2- District Enrollment
- 2,387
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,621
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
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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