Skip to main content

Very Good

#13 of 56 private schools in SD

Top 21% of private schools

St Joseph Indian School

Middle School

1301 N MAIN ST, Chamberlain, SD 57325

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

124

Student-Teacher

4.6:1

Score

7.7

Grades

1st – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

South Dakota middle schools

#2 of 3

About St Joseph Indian School

St Joseph Indian School serves 124 students in grades 1-8 in Chamberlain, South Dakota. This middle school operates with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 4.6:1, supported by 27 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students receive considerable individual attention. The school earns a solid 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 32nd among 56 schools statewide, placing it in the 45th percentile for South Dakota middle schools.

This performance indicates the school is meeting important educational benchmarks while working to support student achievement. Students at St Joseph Indian School benefit from small class sizes that allow teachers to tailor instruction to individual learning needs. The intimate school environment fosters close relationships between educators and students, which can be particularly valuable during the critical middle school years.

The surrounding Chamberlain community of 3,199 residents has a median household income of $67,500 and a median home value of $189,500. With 28% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.4%, the area provides a stable foundation for families. The school is situated in a remote rural setting, offering students a close-knit educational experience surrounded by the natural beauty of South Dakota's countryside.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 124 students, St Joseph Indian School 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 4.6:1, St Joseph Indian School 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, St Joseph Indian School 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St Joseph Indian School compares to the 3 public schools in Chamberlain, SD

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.6:1
This School
vs
11.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
124
This School
vs
283
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.7
This School
vs
6.5
Public Avg

All Schools in Chamberlain

School Rating
St Joseph Indian School (this school) 7.7
Chamberlain Elementary - 03 7.5
Chamberlain High School - 01 6.8
Chamberlain Jr. High - 02 5.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

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+ 9.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,387.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C- 2.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 0%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 124
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 100.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1301 N MAIN ST, Chamberlain, SD 57325

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Joseph Indian School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kimball Middle School - 04 (rated 8.4/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Kimball), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Platte - Geddes Jr. High - 03 (rated 7.4/10, 38.9 miles away, in nearby Platte), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Chamberlain Jr. High - 02 (rated 5.2/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chamberlain, see our Chamberlain schools guide .

Nearby Schools

16 within 39.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Chamberlain Elementary - 03 Chamberlain 1.5 mi 7.5
Chamberlain High School - 01 Chamberlain 2.6 mi 6.8
Chamberlain Jr. High - 02 Chamberlain 2.6 mi 5.2
Lower Brule Day School Lower Brule 21.3 mi
Kimball Middle School - 04 Kimball 19.2 mi 8.4
Kimball Elementary - 02 Kimball 19.2 mi 6.2
Kimball High School - 01 Kimball 19.2 mi 8.1
Platte Colony Elementary - 10 Platte 26.6 mi
Crow Creek Reservation High School Stephan 29.8 mi
Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Elementary School Stephan 29.8 mi 4.0
Grass Ranch Colony Elementary - 13 Kimball 25.4 mi 6.8
Grass Ranch Colony High School - 15 Kimball 25.4 mi
Spring Valley Colony Elementary - 05 Wessington Springs 26.3 mi
Platte - Geddes High School - 01 Platte 38.9 mi 6.5
Platte - Geddes Jr. High - 03 Platte 38.9 mi 7.4
Platte - Geddes Elementary - 02 Platte 39.0 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57325 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,750

Median Home Value

$208,400

Median Rent

$685/mo

Population

3,237

College Educated

33.7%

Homeownership

69.2%

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Joseph Indian School has a median household income of $78,750. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,400, with a median rent of $685/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% 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
Lead-Deadwood Middle School - 02 Lead, SD 7.8
Hanson Middle School - 02 Alexandria, SD 7.9
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Sioux Falls, SD 8.0
Groton Area Middle School - 04 Groton, SD 8.0
Platte - Geddes Jr. High - 03 Platte, SD 7.4
Bridgewater-Emery Middle School - 04 Emery, SD 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Joseph Indian School

What grades does St Joseph Indian School serve?

St Joseph Indian School serves students in grades 1st through 8th.

How many students attend St Joseph Indian School?

St Joseph Indian School has an enrollment of approximately 124 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Joseph Indian School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Joseph Indian School is 4.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Joseph Indian School rank in SD?

St Joseph Indian School is ranked #13 out of 56 private schools in SD.

What is St Joseph Indian School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Joseph Indian School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 St Joseph Indian School a private school?

Yes, St Joseph Indian School 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 St Joseph Indian School a religious school?

St Joseph Indian School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,002/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chamberlain). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
1st – 8th
Enrollment
124
Gender Split
47% M / 53% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
185 days
Setting
Remote Rural
County
BRULE
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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.