Excellent
#1 of 56 private schools in SD
Top 1% of private schools
Sunshine Bible Academy
School
400 SUNSHINE DR, Miller, SD 57362
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
Enrollment
62
Student-Teacher
5.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Sunshine Bible Academy compares to the 4 public schools in Miller, SD
Student Demographics
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.
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
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (605) 853-3071
- 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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