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Average

#30 of 56 private schools in SD

St Thomas School

Elementary School

401 N VAN EPS AVE, Madison, SD 57042

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How St Thomas School compares to the 3 public schools in Madison, SD

Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
This School
vs
14.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
35
This School
vs
393
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.3
This School
vs
4.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 88.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 11.4% vs 0%
St Thomas School Madison Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 3.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,080
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 20%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 2.8 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 35
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 88.6%
Hispanic 11.4%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
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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