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Excellent

#1 of 56 private schools in SD

Top 1% of private schools

Sunshine Bible Academy

School

400 SUNSHINE DR, Miller, SD 57362

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

62

Student-Teacher

5.2:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#1 of 16

About Sunshine Bible Academy

Sunshine Bible Academy serves 62 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Miller, South Dakota. With 12 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.2:1, allowing for highly personalized attention and individualized instruction. This regular public school currently ranks 45th out of 56 schools statewide and holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10.

The small enrollment creates an intimate learning environment where students and staff can build strong relationships and teachers can closely monitor each student's progress. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income is $66,500 and the poverty rate sits at a low 7.9%. About 26% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while median home values of $133,300 reflect the rural character of the region.

The intimate class sizes and close-knit atmosphere make Sunshine Bible Academy particularly well-suited for students who thrive in smaller educational settings where they can receive focused attention from their teachers. The school's structure allows educators to adapt their teaching methods to individual learning styles and provide extra support where needed. Sunshine Bible Academy is situated in Hand County's remote rural landscape, offering students an education deeply connected to the agricultural heritage and tight-knit community values of central South Dakota.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 62 students, Sunshine Bible Academy 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 5.2:1, Sunshine Bible Academy 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, Sunshine Bible Academy 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$25,832
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$29,233
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.13x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
33%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$5.0M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 62 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Sunshine Bible Academy compares to the 4 public schools in Miller, SD

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.2:1
This School
vs
17.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
62
This School
vs
118
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.4
This School
vs
6.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 82.3% vs 0%
Black 3.2% vs 0%
Asian 3.2% vs 0%
Sunshine Bible Academy Miller Public Avg

All Schools in Miller

School Rating
Sunshine Bible Academy (this school) 8.4
Millerdale Colony Elementary - 11 1.5
Miller Elementary - 02 9.2
Miller Jr. High - 04 8.5
Miller High School - 01 5.3

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+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,339.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 27%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 62
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 82.3%
Two or More 8.1%
Black 3.2%
Asian 3.2%
Native American 3.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

400 SUNSHINE DR, Miller, SD 57362

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunshine Bible Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Miller Elementary - 02 (rated 9.2/10, 13.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Miller Jr. High - 04 (rated 8.5/10, 13.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 (rated 8.3/10, 26.8 miles away, in nearby Wessington Springs), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Miller, see our Miller schools guide .

Nearby Schools

18 within 36.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Millerdale Colony Elementary - 11 Miller 7.9 mi 1.5
Miller Elementary - 02 Miller 13.2 mi 9.2
Miller High School - 01 Miller 13.2 mi 5.3
Miller Jr. High - 04 Miller 13.2 mi 8.5
Spring Valley Colony Elementary - 05 Wessington Springs 20.5 mi
Crow Creek Reservation High School Stephan 24.1 mi
Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Elementary School Stephan 24.1 mi 4.0
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 Wessington Springs 26.8 mi 8.3
Wessington Springs High School - 01 Wessington Springs 26.8 mi 7.3
Wessington Springs Middle School Cyber School - 93 Wessington Springs 26.8 mi
Wessington Springs High School Cyber School - 92 Wessington Springs 26.8 mi 3.2
Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 Wessington Springs 27.1 mi 6.9
Wessington Springs Elementary Cyber School - 94 Wessington Springs 27.1 mi
Highmore Elementary - 02 Highmore 26.0 mi 5.5
Highmore High School - 01 Highmore 26.0 mi 4.0
Highmore Jr. High - 03 Highmore 26.0 mi 7.8
Hitchcock-Tulare High School - 01 Tulare 36.7 mi 7.3
Hitchcock-Tulare Jr. High School - 02 Tulare 36.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57362 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,607

Median Home Value

$147,600

Median Rent

$546/mo

Population

1,940

College Educated

27.7%

Homeownership

61.5%

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

44.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sunshine Bible Academy has a median household income of $61,607. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $147,600, with a median rent of $546/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
FREEMAN ACADEMY Freeman, SD 8.3
CORNERSTONE SCHOOL Sioux Falls, SD 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sunshine Bible Academy

What grades does Sunshine Bible Academy serve?

Sunshine Bible Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Sunshine Bible Academy?

Sunshine Bible Academy has an enrollment of approximately 62 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunshine Bible Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Sunshine Bible Academy is 5.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Sunshine Bible Academy rank in SD?

Sunshine Bible Academy is ranked #1 out of 56 private schools in SD.

What is Sunshine Bible Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunshine Bible Academy has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Sunshine Bible Academy a private school?

Yes, Sunshine Bible Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Sunshine Bible Academy a religious school?

Sunshine Bible Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
62
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
7.7 hours
Days Per Year
174 days
Setting
Remote Rural
County
HAND
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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