Average
#30 of 56 private schools in SD
St Thomas School
Elementary School
401 N VAN EPS AVE, Madison, SD 57042
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SD statewide data. Learn more
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
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
South Dakota elementary schools
#13 of 33
About St Thomas School
ST Thomas School serves 35 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Madison, South Dakota. This small elementary school provides an intimate learning environment with just 5 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an exceptional 7:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for highly personalized attention and instruction. The school has earned strong recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 7th out of 56 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile among South Dakota schools.
This impressive ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence despite its small size. Located at 401 N Van Eps Avenue, ST Thomas School serves families in a stable community where the median household income is $70,046 and 37% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 11.6%, with median home values around $173,400, indicating a community that values education and stability.
The school's small enrollment creates opportunities for teachers to know each student individually and tailor instruction to meet diverse learning needs. ST Thomas School operates as a regular public school in the heart of Madison, a town setting that provides both community connections and educational resources for its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 35 students, St Thomas 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 7:1, St Thomas 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 Thomas 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
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 | 5.3 |
| Madison High School - 01 | 3.4 |
| Madison Middle School - 02 | 5.5 |
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.
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 9.1/10, 21.8 miles away, in nearby Montrose), which scores notably higher. Another option is Colman Elementary - 03 (rated 8.0/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Colman), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orland Colony Elementary - 04 (rated 6.1/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Montrose), 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 | 5.3 |
| Madison High School - 01 Madison | 0.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Madison Middle School - 02 Madison | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| MADISON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison | 1.6 mi | — |
| Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 Chester | 9.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Graceville Colony - 07 Winfred | 10.1 mi | — |
| Orland Colony Elementary - 04 Montrose | 13.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Chester High School - 01 Chester | 11.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Chester Elementary -02 Chester | 11.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Chester Middle School - 03 Chester | 11.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Chester Area Cyber School - 92 Chester | 11.9 mi | 5.9 |
| High Plains - 06 Chester | 11.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Colman-Egan High School - 01 Colman | 15.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Colman-Egan Jr. High - 02 Colman | 15.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Colman Elementary - 03 Colman | 15.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Shannon Colony Elementary - 08 Winfred | 15.4 mi | — |
| Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose | 21.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Montrose High School - 01 Montrose | 21.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Montrose Middle School - 03 Montrose | 21.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Tri-Valley High School - 01 Colton | 21.4 mi | 7.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding St Thomas School has a median household income of $68,672. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $218,200, with a median rent of $877/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 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 |
|---|---|
| Oelrichs Elementary - 02 Oelrichs, SD | 6.3 |
| LAKOTA WALDORF SCHOOL Kyle, SD | 6.1 |
| Orland Colony Elementary - 04 Montrose, SD | 6.1 |
| Norris Elementary - 08 White River, SD | 6.6 |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem, SD | 6.6 |
| Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04 Freeman, SD | 6.6 |
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 is ranked #30 out of 56 private schools in SD.
What is St Thomas School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Thomas School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (939/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Madison). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (605) 256-4419
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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