Average
#27 of 56 private schools in SD
Top 46% of private schools
St Mary Elementary School
Elementary School
205 W ESSEX, Salem, SD 57058
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher
5.7:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 1st
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher
5.7:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 1st
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
South Dakota private schools
#27 of 56
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St Mary Elementary School
Elementary School in Salem · grades Kindergarten – 1st. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mccook Central Elementary - 02
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mccook Central High School - 01
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About St Mary Elementary School
St Mary Elementary School is a private elementary school in Salem, SD. St Mary Elementary School serves approximately 40 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-1st, and has a 5.7:1 student-teacher ratio. St Mary Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #27 of 56 private schools in SD.
- This school 6.6 · Average
- SD avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 40 students, St Mary Elementary School 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 5.7:1 students to teachers, St Mary Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
St Mary Elementary School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow St Mary Elementary School compares to the 4 public schools in Salem, SD
Student Demographics
All Schools in Salem
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Mary Elementary School (this school) | 6.6 |
| McCook Central High School - 01 | 5.0 |
| McCook Central Middle School - 03 | 4.3 |
| McCook Central Elementary - 02 | 3.6 |
| Goldenview Colony School - 04 | — |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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
205 W ESSEX, Salem, SD 57058
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Mary Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 (rated 9.6/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Bridgewater), which scores notably higher. Another option is Canistota Elementary - 02 (rated 9.0/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Canistota), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Montrose Elementary - 02 (rated 8.5/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Montrose), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McCook Central Elementary - 02 Salem | 0.2 mi | 3.6 |
| McCook Central High School - 01 Salem | 0.2 mi | 5.0 |
| McCook Central Middle School - 03 Salem | 0.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Goldenview Colony School - 04 Salem | 3.7 mi | — |
| Canistota Elementary - 02 Canistota | 10.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Canistota High School - 01 Canistota | 10.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Canistota Middle School - 03 Canistota | 10.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose | 10.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Montrose High School - 01 Montrose | 10.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Montrose Middle School - 03 Montrose | 10.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 Bridgewater | 13.3 mi | 9.6 |
| Orland Colony Elementary - 04 Montrose | 11.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Graceville Colony - 07 Winfred | 14.8 mi | — |
| Shannon Colony Elementary - 08 Winfred | 17.5 mi | — |
| Bridgewater-Emery High School - 01 Emery | 14.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Bridgewater-Emery Middle School - 04 Emery | 14.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Howard Elementary - 02 Howard | 20.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Howard High School - 01 Howard | 21.2 mi | 9.3 |
| Howard Jr. High - 05 Howard | 21.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Chester | 17.6 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57058 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,119
Median Home Value
$199,700
Median Rent
$866/mo
Population
1,792
College Educated
25.5%
Homeownership
76.5%
Avg Commute
19.9 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
43
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Grass Ranch Colony Elementary - 13 Kimball, SD | 6.6 |
| Norris Elementary - 08 White River, SD | 6.7 |
| Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 Parkston, SD | 6.3 |
| ST THOMAS SCHOOL Madison, SD | 6.3 |
| Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake, SD | 6.9 |
| Upland Colony Elementary - 05 Forestburg, SD | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St Mary Elementary School
What grades does St Mary Elementary School serve?
St Mary Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 1st.
How many students attend St Mary Elementary School?
St Mary Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 40 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Mary Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Mary Elementary School is 5.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St Mary Elementary School rank in SD?
St Mary Elementary School ranks #27 of 56 private schools in SD.
What is St Mary Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Mary Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is St Mary Elementary School a private school?
Yes, St Mary Elementary School is a private coeducational school with a Other Religious 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 Elementary School a religious school?
St Mary Elementary School has a Other Religious religious affiliation.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 1st
- Enrollment
- 40
- Gender Split
- 55% M / 45% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Other Religious
- School Day
- 7.8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 175 days
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- McCook County
- Phone
- (605) 425-2607
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