Skip to main content

Average

#42 of 56 private schools in SD

Sunny Plains Christian School

Elementary School

403 SCHOOL ST, Iroquois, SD 57353

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SD statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

33

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

South Dakota elementary schools

#25 of 33

About Sunny Plains Christian School

Sunny Plains Christian School serves 33 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in the small community of Iroquois, South Dakota. Despite its name suggesting a Christian affiliation, this is actually a regular public school that provides personalized attention with an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1 and four full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking 16th out of 56 schools statewide and placing in the 73rd percentile among South Dakota elementary schools, with a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10.

This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence within its intimate learning environment. The surrounding community of Iroquois demonstrates economic stability, with a median household income of $69,141 and median home values around $169,500. The area maintains a very low poverty rate of just 3.1%, while 26% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

With only 806 residents in the ZIP code area, this creates a tight-knit community atmosphere where families know one another. Sunny Plains Christian School operates in a remote rural setting, offering students the benefits of small-class instruction and close teacher relationships while serving families who value both academic achievement and the strong community bonds found in rural South Dakota.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 33 students, Sunny Plains Christian 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 8.2:1, Sunny Plains Christian 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, Sunny Plains Christian 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 Sunny Plains Christian School compares to the 4 public schools in Iroquois, SD

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.2:1
This School
vs
12.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
33
This School
vs
56
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.4
This School
vs
6.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 97% vs 0%
Black 3% vs 0%
Sunny Plains Christian School Iroquois Public Avg

All Schools in Iroquois

School Rating
Sunny Plains Christian School (this school) 5.4
Iroquois Elementary - 04 7.4
Iroquois High School - 01 7.0
Iroquois Middle School - 02 5.3
Pearl Creek Colony Elementary - 05

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 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,105.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 4.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 6%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 33
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 97.0%
Black 3.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

403 SCHOOL ST, Iroquois, SD 57353

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunny Plains Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Iroquois Elementary - 04 (rated 7.4/10, 7.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 (rated 5.5/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby De Smet), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 (rated 5.4/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Carpenter), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Iroquois, see our Iroquois schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Iroquois High School - 01 Iroquois 7.0 mi 7.0
Iroquois Middle School - 02 Iroquois 7.0 mi 5.3
Iroquois Elementary - 04 Iroquois 7.0 mi 7.4
Pearl Creek Colony Elementary - 05 Iroquois 10.4 mi
Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake 8.9 mi
Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05 Willow Lake 12.0 mi
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake 15.0 mi 4.0
Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake 15.0 mi 5.8
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Willow Lake 15.0 mi 6.4
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 De Smet 15.1 mi 5.5
De Smet High School - 01 De Smet 15.1 mi 7.6
De Smet Middle School - 03 De Smet 15.1 mi 3.2
Riverside Colony Elementary - 15 Huron 14.8 mi
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Carpenter 21.0 mi 5.4
Our Home ASAP - 12 Huron 17.4 mi
Our Home Rediscovery - 77 Huron 17.4 mi
Hillside Colony Elementary - 04 Doland 21.3 mi
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake 20.4 mi 4.8
Clark Colony Elementary - 05 Raymond 23.3 mi
Huron Colony Elementary - 13 Huron 19.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57353 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,500

Median Home Value

$158,800

Median Rent

$700/mo

Population

925

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

88.7%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

37.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sunny Plains Christian School has a median household income of $72,500. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,800, with a median rent of $700/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Carpenter, SD 5.4
Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 Garden City, SD 5.6
Westwood Rural Elementary - 05 Britton, SD 5.6
MISSOURI VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Yankton, SD 5.2
Pleasant Valley Colony Elementary - 06 Flandreau, SD 5.8
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake, SD 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sunny Plains Christian School

What grades does Sunny Plains Christian School serve?

Sunny Plains Christian School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Sunny Plains Christian School?

Sunny Plains Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 33 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunny Plains Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sunny Plains Christian School is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Sunny Plains Christian School rank in SD?

Sunny Plains Christian School is ranked #42 out of 56 private schools in SD.

What is Sunny Plains Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunny Plains Christian School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Sunny Plains Christian School a private school?

Yes, Sunny Plains Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Mennonite affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Sunny Plains Christian School a religious school?

Sunny Plains Christian School has a Mennonite religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
33
Gender Split
33% M / 67% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Mennonite
School Day
6.7 hours
Days Per Year
165 days
Setting
Remote Rural
County
KINGSBURY
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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.