Excellent
#6 of 574 schools in SD
Top 1% in state
Timber Lake Elementary - 02
Elementary School · Timber Lake School District 20-3
PO Box 1000, Timber Lake, SD 57656
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Timber Lake
#1 of 3
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#6 of 271
In district
#1 of 3
Timber Lake School District 20-3
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Timber Lake Elementary - 02
Timber Lake Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Timber Lake, South Dakota, with an enrollment of 198 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.4 to 1, giving students consistent access to their teachers throughout the school day. The school earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10, rated Exceptional across both academic achievement and student growth.
It ranks 6th among 574 public schools statewide and 6th among 271 elementary schools in South Dakota — outperforming 99% of all public schools in the state. That performance puts it at the top of Timber Lake as well, ranking first among the three public schools in the community. Strong growth scores alongside high academic scores signal that students are not only achieving at a high level but continuing to progress year over year.
For families evaluating elementary options in South Dakota, Timber Lake Elementary - 02 sits at the top of nearly every relevant comparison — statewide, by school level, and locally. The combination of a low student-teacher ratio and sustained academic results makes it one of the strongest-performing elementary schools in the state.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 198 students, Timber Lake Elementary - 02 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.
Located in a rural area, Timber Lake Elementary - 02 may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Timber Lake Elementary - 02 — Students at Timber Lake Elementary - 02 score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.4/10.
How Timber Lake Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Timber Lake Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
PO Box 1000, Timber Lake, SD 57656
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Timber Lake Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Little Eagle School (rated 8.1/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Little Eagle), a more accessible option. Another option is Eagle Butte Primary - 02 (rated 8.1/10, 30.4 miles away, in nearby Eagle Butte), a more accessible option. Additionally, Rock Creek Grant School (rated 7.3/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Bullhead), a more accessible option. For more schools in Timber Lake, see our Timber Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
19 within 36.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Timber Lake High School - 01 Timber Lake | 0.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Timber Lake Middle School - 03 Timber Lake | 0.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Rock Creek Grant School Bullhead | 23.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Little Eagle School Little Eagle | 21.6 mi | 8.1 |
| LITTLE EAGLE GRANT SCHOOL Little Eagle | 21.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Eagle Butte Primary - 02 Eagle Butte | 30.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Eagle Butte Jr. High - 06 Eagle Butte | 30.4 mi | — |
| Eagle Butte High School - 01 Eagle Butte | 30.4 mi | — |
| E. A. G. L. E. Center High School - 07 Eagle Butte | 30.4 mi | — |
| Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School Eagle Butte | 30.5 mi | — |
| WINDSWEPT ACADEMY Eagle Butte | 30.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Eagle Butte Upper Elementary - 03 Eagle Butte | 31.0 mi | 5.1 |
| McLaughlin High School - 01 Mclaughlin | 29.3 mi | 6.6 |
| McLaughlin Middle School - 03 Mclaughlin | 29.3 mi | 6.4 |
| McLaughlin Elementary - 02 Mclaughlin | 29.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Tiospaye Topa School Ridgeview | 28.6 mi | — |
| McIntosh Elementary - 02 Mcintosh | 36.9 mi | 3.5 |
| McIntosh High School - 01 Mcintosh | 36.9 mi | 6.7 |
| McIntosh Middle School - 03 Mcintosh | 36.9 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57656 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,571
Median Home Value
$86,800
Median Rent
$567/mo
Population
911
College Educated
23.8%
Homeownership
71.6%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
30.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Timber Lake Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $63,571. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $86,800, with a median rent of $567/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Plankinton Elementary - 02 Plankinton, SD | 9.3 |
| Miller Elementary - 02 Miller, SD | 9.2 |
| Stanley County Elementary - 08 Fort Pierre, SD | 9.2 |
| Whitewood Elementary - 04 Whitewood, SD | 9.0 |
| Hitchcock-Tulare Elementary - 05 Hitchcock, SD | 8.9 |
| Centerville Elementary - 02 Centerville, SD | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Timber Lake Elementary - 02
What grades does Timber Lake Elementary - 02 serve?
Timber Lake Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Timber Lake Elementary - 02?
Timber Lake Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 198 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Timber Lake Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Timber Lake Elementary - 02 is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Timber Lake Elementary - 02 rank in SD?
Timber Lake Elementary - 02 is ranked #6 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Timber Lake Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Timber Lake Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 9.4 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.
What are the test scores at Timber Lake Elementary - 02?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Timber Lake Elementary - 02 has 65.3% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Timber Lake Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, Timber Lake Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Timber Lake Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, Timber Lake Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Timber Lake Elementary - 02?
43.4% of students at Timber Lake Elementary - 02 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 198
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Dewey County
- Phone
- (605) 865-3654
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Timber Lake School District 20-3- District Enrollment
- 389
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,724
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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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