Average
#276 of 574 schools in SD
Top 48% in state
Timber Lake Middle School - 03
Middle School · Timber Lake School District 20-3
PO Box 1000, Timber Lake, SD 57656
Enrollment
81
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
81
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Timber Lake
#3 of 3
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#60 of 144
In district
#3 of 3
Timber Lake School District 20-3
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Timber Lake Middle School - 03
Timber Lake Middle School - 03 serves 81 students in grades 6-8 in the remote rural community of Timber Lake, South Dakota. With 8 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 10.1:1, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 100th out of 586 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 67% achieving proficiency or above across all grade levels. Mathematics presents more opportunity for growth, with 47% of students meeting proficiency standards. Timber Lake Middle School serves a tight-knit community where the median household income is $61,607 and median home values are $87,200.
About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 14%. The school's ZIP code area has a population of 842 residents. Located in Dewey County's remote rural setting, Timber Lake Middle School offers students a close-knit educational environment where small class sizes foster individual attention and community connections that extend well beyond the classroom walls.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 81 students, Timber Lake Middle School - 03 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 Middle School - 03 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Timber Lake Middle School - 03 — Students at Timber Lake Middle School - 03 score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.7/10.
How Timber Lake Middle School - 03 Compares
See how Timber Lake Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
PO Box 1000, Timber Lake, SD 57656
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Timber Lake Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. McLaughlin Middle School - 03 (rated 6.4/10, 29.3 miles away, in nearby Mclaughlin), with a very similar rating. Additionally, McIntosh Middle School - 03 (rated 5.4/10, 36.9 miles away, in nearby Mcintosh), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Timber Lake, see our Timber Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
19 within 36.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Timber Lake Elementary - 02 Timber Lake | 0.0 mi | 9.4 |
| Timber Lake High School - 01 Timber Lake | 0.0 mi | 8.8 |
| 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 Middle School - 03 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 |
|---|---|
| McLaughlin Middle School - 03 Mclaughlin, SD | 6.4 |
| Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Willow Lake, SD | 6.4 |
| Ipswich Middle School - 04 Ipswich, SD | 6.5 |
| Viborg-Hurley Middle School - 03 Viborg, SD | 6.3 |
| Florence Middle School - 03 Florence, SD | 6.6 |
| Freeman Jr High - 05 Freeman, SD | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Timber Lake Middle School - 03
What grades does Timber Lake Middle School - 03 serve?
Timber Lake Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Timber Lake Middle School - 03?
Timber Lake Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 81 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Timber Lake Middle School - 03?
The student-teacher ratio at Timber Lake Middle School - 03 is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Timber Lake Middle School - 03 rank in SD?
Timber Lake Middle School - 03 is ranked #276 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Timber Lake Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?
Timber Lake Middle School - 03 has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Middle School - 03?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Timber Lake Middle School - 03 has 58.7% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Timber Lake Middle School - 03 a charter school?
No, Timber Lake Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Timber Lake Middle School - 03 a Title I school?
No, Timber Lake Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Timber Lake Middle School - 03?
37.0% of students at Timber Lake Middle School - 03 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 81
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.0%
- 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
- #3 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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.