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Very Good

#172 of 574 schools in SD

Top 30% in state

Sturgis Elementary - 03

Elementary School · Meade School District 46-1

1121 Ballpark Rd, Sturgis, SD 57785

Enrollment

538

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sturgis

#1 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#94 of 271

In district

#4 of 7

Meade School District 46-1

Academic performance

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Sturgis Elementary - 03

Sturgis Elementary - 03 serves 538 students in kindergarten through fourth grade with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.2 to 1, supported by 44 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned recognition as one of South Dakota's top-performing elementary schools, ranking 52nd out of 586 schools statewide and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. The school demonstrates strong academic achievement with 67% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 65% reach proficiency in Math.

These solid performance levels reflect the school's commitment to providing quality elementary education during these foundational learning years. Located at 1121 Ballpark Road in Sturgis, the school serves a community where the median household income is $57,146 and median home values average $225,800. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 6.6%, with 24% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Sturgis Elementary - 03 operates within this stable town setting of approximately 10,500 residents in Meade County, South Dakota, providing early elementary education in a community-focused environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency66%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+21.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,479

Sturgis Elementary - 03 — Students at Sturgis Elementary - 03 score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
70%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
65%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
67%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How Sturgis Elementary - 03 Compares

See how Sturgis Elementary - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
70th percentile in SD
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

1121 Ballpark Rd, Sturgis, SD 57785

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sturgis Elementary - 03 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whitewood Elementary - 04 (rated 9.0/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Whitewood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05 (rated 8.0/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Piedmont), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Newell Elementary - 02 (rated 7.6/10, 22.1 miles away, in nearby Newell), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sturgis, see our Sturgis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Sturgis Williams Middle School - 02 Sturgis 0.6 mi 5.7
Sturgis Brown High School - 01 Sturgis 2.7 mi 5.0
Whitewood Elementary - 04 Whitewood 7.2 mi 9.0
Lead-Deadwood Career & Technical Education - 10 Nemo 13.3 mi 7.0
Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05 Piedmont 13.2 mi 8.0
Lead-Deadwood Elementary - 03 Deadwood 10.8 mi 6.4
Stagebarn Middle School - 10 Summerset 16.0 mi 3.9
Lead-Deadwood Middle School - 02 Lead 13.4 mi 7.8
Lead-Deadwood High School - 01 Lead 13.4 mi 7.8
BLACK HILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spearfish 15.1 mi 6.7
Spearfish Academy at Canyon Hills Elementary - 09 Spearfish 15.9 mi
Spearfish Academy at Canyon Hills High School - 10 Spearfish 15.9 mi
Black Hawk Elementary - 03 Blackhawk 19.9 mi 2.8
Newell Elementary - 02 Newell 22.1 mi 7.6
Newell High School - 01 Newell 22.1 mi 5.8
Newell Middle School - 04 Newell 22.1 mi 7.6
Mountain View Elementary - 08 Spearfish 17.7 mi 6.5
Spearfish High School - 01 Spearfish 18.4 mi 6.0
Spearfish Middle School - 05 Spearfish 18.4 mi 6.4
Creekside Elementary - 07 Spearfish 18.5 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57785 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,311

Median Home Value

$263,000

Median Rent

$842/mo

Population

10,705

College Educated

22.7%

Homeownership

70.8%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sturgis Elementary - 03 has a median household income of $59,311. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,000, with a median rent of $842/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Jefferson Elementary - 06 Pierre, SD 7.2
Adventure Elementary - 10 Sioux Falls, SD 7.4
Buchanan Elementary - 03 Pierre, SD 7.0
Dakota Prairie Elementary - 07 Brookings, SD 7.0
John Harris Elementary - 23 Sioux Falls, SD 7.4
Kennedy Elementary - 08 Pierre, SD 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sturgis Elementary - 03

What grades does Sturgis Elementary - 03 serve?

Sturgis Elementary - 03 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Sturgis Elementary - 03?

Sturgis Elementary - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 538 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sturgis Elementary - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Sturgis Elementary - 03 is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sturgis Elementary - 03 rank in SD?

Sturgis Elementary - 03 is ranked #172 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Sturgis Elementary - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Sturgis Elementary - 03 has a composite rating of 7.2 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.

What are the test scores at Sturgis Elementary - 03?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sturgis Elementary - 03 has 67.3% math proficiency and 66.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sturgis Elementary - 03 a charter school?

No, Sturgis Elementary - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sturgis Elementary - 03 a Title I school?

No, Sturgis Elementary - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sturgis Elementary - 03?

37.7% of students at Sturgis Elementary - 03 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,984/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sturgis). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
538
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Meade County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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