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Below Average

#54 of 56 private schools in SD

St Mary Catholic School

School

812 N STATE AVE, Dell Rapids, SD 57022

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

233

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Dell Rapids

#2 of 2

public schools

South Dakota schools

#15 of 16

About St Mary Catholic School

St. Mary Catholic School in Dell Rapids, South Dakota serves 233 students from preschool through 12th grade, offering a full K-12 Catholic education in a small-town setting. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1, the school provides comprehensive faith-based instruction.

The school has not been rated by MySchoolScout and no standardized test data is available. Located in the 57022 zip code in Minnehaha County's small town of Dell Rapids, the school serves a tight-knit rural community. The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $87,048 and a median home value of $273,300, with 35% of residents holding bachelor's degrees and a poverty rate of 7%.

Dell Rapids is a scenic small town on the Big Sioux River about 20 miles north of Sioux Falls, known for its distinctive quartzite rock formations, historic downtown buildings, and the close community character of small-town South Dakota.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, St Mary Catholic 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 Mary Catholic School compares to the 3 public schools in Dell Rapids, SD

Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
This School
vs
14.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
233
This School
vs
324
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.1
This School
vs
6.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 96.1% vs 0%
Black 0.9% vs 0%
St Mary Catholic School Dell Rapids Public Avg

All Schools in Dell Rapids

School Rating
St Mary Catholic School (this school) 4.1
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 7.2
Dell Rapids High School - 01 6.1
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02 6.2

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)
D 1.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 17.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,169.6
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 6%
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 233
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)

White 96.1%
Two or More 2.1%
Black 0.9%
Native American 0.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

812 N STATE AVE, Dell Rapids, SD 57022

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Mary Catholic School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Colman-Egan High School - 01 (rated 8.1/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Colman), which scores notably higher. Another option is Colman Elementary - 03 (rated 8.0/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Colman), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tri-Valley High School - 01 (rated 7.7/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Colton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dell Rapids, see our Dell Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.2 mi
School Distance Rating
ST MARY GRADE SCHOOL Dell Rapids 0.0 mi 4.3
Dell Rapids High School - 01 Dell Rapids 0.4 mi 6.1
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 Dell Rapids 0.4 mi 7.2
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02 Dell Rapids 0.7 mi 6.2
Baltic Elementary - 02 Baltic 4.9 mi 6.1
Baltic High School - 01 Baltic 4.9 mi 7.0
Baltic Middle School - 03 Baltic 4.9 mi 7.0
Colman-Egan High School - 01 Colman 11.8 mi 8.1
Colman-Egan Jr. High - 02 Colman 11.8 mi 6.1
Colman Elementary - 03 Colman 11.8 mi 8.0
Renberg Elementary - 42 Renner 12.8 mi 5.1
EDUCATION & INTEGRATION SERVICES Sioux Falls 16.1 mi
Garretson Elementary - 02 Garretson 12.8 mi 6.0
Garretson High School - 01 Garretson 12.8 mi 4.3
Garretson Middle School - 03 Garretson 12.8 mi 4.8
Tri-Valley High School - 01 Colton 12.5 mi 7.7
Tri-Valley Intermediate School - 03 Colton 12.5 mi 3.6
Tri-Valley Elementary in Colton - 02 Colton 12.5 mi 6.2
Chester High School - 01 Chester 12.2 mi 6.5
Chester Elementary -02 Chester 12.2 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57022 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,595

Median Home Value

$293,800

Median Rent

$940/mo

Population

5,476

College Educated

36.7%

Homeownership

82.6%

Avg Commute

24.4 min

Poverty Rate

5.6%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Mary Catholic School has a median household income of $100,595. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,800, with a median rent of $940/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
ST MARY GRADE SCHOOL Dell Rapids, SD 4.3
Crazy Horse School Wanblee, SD
Marty Indian School Marty, SD
Takini School Howes, SD
Tiospaye Topa School Ridgeview, SD

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Mary Catholic School

What grades does St Mary Catholic School serve?

St Mary Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend St Mary Catholic School?

St Mary Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 233 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Mary Catholic School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Mary Catholic School is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Mary Catholic School rank in SD?

St Mary Catholic School is ranked #54 out of 56 private schools in SD.

What is St Mary Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Mary Catholic School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 St Mary Catholic School a private school?

Yes, St Mary Catholic 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 Mary Catholic School a religious school?

St Mary Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
233
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
172 days
Setting
Distant Town
County
MINNEHAHA
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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