Average
#30 of 56 private schools in SD
St Thomas School
Elementary School
401 N VAN EPS AVE, Madison, SD 57042
Enrollment
35
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
35
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
South Dakota private schools
#30 of 56
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St Thomas School
Elementary School in Madison · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Madison Elementary - 07
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Madison High School - 01
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About St Thomas School
St Thomas School is a private elementary school in Madison, SD. St Thomas School serves approximately 35 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. St Thomas School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #30 of 56 private schools in SD.
- This school 6.3 · Average
- SD avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 35 students, St Thomas 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 7:1 students to teachers, St Thomas School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
St Thomas 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 Thomas School compares to the 3 public schools in Madison, SD
Student Demographics
All Schools in Madison
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Thomas School (this school) | 6.3 |
| Madison Elementary - 07 | 6.1 |
| Madison High School - 01 | 5.2 |
| Madison Middle School - 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
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
401 N VAN EPS AVE, Madison, SD 57042
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Thomas School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Montrose Elementary - 02 (rated 8.5/10, 21.8 miles away, in nearby Montrose), which scores notably higher. Another option is Madison Elementary - 07 (rated 6.1/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Chester Elementary -02 (rated 6.1/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Chester), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Madison Elementary - 07 Madison | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Madison High School - 01 Madison | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Madison Middle School - 02 Madison | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| MADISON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison | 1.6 mi | — |
| Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Chester | 9.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Graceville Colony - 07 Winfred | 10.1 mi | — |
| Orland Colony Elementary - 04 Montrose | 13.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Chester High School - 01 Chester | 11.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Chester Elementary -02 Chester | 11.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Chester Middle School - 03 Chester | 11.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Chester Area Cyber School - 92 Chester | 11.9 mi | 4.3 |
| High Plains - 06 Chester | 11.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Colman-Egan High School - 01 Colman | 15.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Colman-Egan Jr. High - 02 Colman | 15.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Colman Elementary - 03 Colman | 15.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Shannon Colony Elementary - 08 Winfred | 15.4 mi | — |
| Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose | 21.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Montrose High School - 01 Montrose | 21.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Montrose Middle School - 03 Montrose | 21.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Tri-Valley High School - 01 Colton | 21.4 mi | 8.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57042 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,672
Median Home Value
$218,200
Median Rent
$877/mo
Population
7,900
College Educated
36.9%
Homeownership
64.2%
Avg Commute
13.1 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Median Age
41.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 Parkston, SD | 6.3 |
| LAKOTA WALDORF SCHOOL Kyle, SD | 6.1 |
| Oaklane Colony Elementary - 05 Alexandria, SD | 6.1 |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem, SD | 6.6 |
| Norris Elementary - 08 White River, SD | 6.7 |
| Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Chester, SD | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St Thomas School
What grades does St Thomas School serve?
St Thomas School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend St Thomas School?
St Thomas School has an enrollment of approximately 35 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Thomas School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Thomas School is 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 Thomas School rank in SD?
St Thomas School ranks #30 of 56 private schools in SD.
What is St Thomas School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Thomas School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is St Thomas School a private school?
Yes, St Thomas 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 Thomas School a religious school?
St Thomas School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 35
- Gender Split
- 60% M / 40% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 6 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (605) 256-4419
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