Average
#42 of 56 private schools in SD
Sunny Plains Christian School
Elementary School
403 SCHOOL ST, Iroquois, SD 57353
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
Enrollment
33
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Sunny Plains Christian School compares to the 4 public schools in Iroquois, SD
Student Demographics
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.
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
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (605) 546-2458
- 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.
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