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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected+24.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,185

Timber Lake Elementary - 02 — Students at Timber Lake Elementary - 02 score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 65.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
62%

* 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.

Overall Score
9.4/10
99th percentile in SD
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Timber Lake School District 20-3
District Enrollment
389
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,724
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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