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Very Good

#124 of 574 schools in SD

Top 21% in state

Upland Colony Elementary - 05

Elementary School · Sanborn Central School District 55-5

40405 SD Hwy 34, Forestburg, SD 57314

Enrollment

40

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Forestburg

#4 of 4

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#66 of 271

In district

#4 of 4

Sanborn Central School District 55-5

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Upland Colony Elementary - 05

Upland Colony Elementary - 05 is a small rural school in Forestburg, South Dakota, nestled along SD Highway 34. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 40 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of about 13 to 1, with three full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its modest academic performance ranking at 5.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout, Upland Colony focuses on providing personalized attention to each student.

In reading and ELA, 48% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate is lower at 22%. The school community thrives in a tight-knit rural setting where teachers and families work closely together to support student development. Upland Colony Elementary - 05 stands as a nurturing environment surrounded by the serene beauty of South Dakota's countryside.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 40 students, Upland Colony Elementary - 05 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.

While current test scores at Upland Colony Elementary - 05 are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Upland Colony Elementary - 05 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 Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+5.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,977

Upland Colony Elementary - 05 — Students at Upland Colony Elementary - 05 score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.0%
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
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
69.5%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Upland Colony Elementary - 05 Compares

See how Upland Colony Elementary - 05 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
79th percentile in SD
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Location

40405 SD Hwy 34, Forestburg, SD 57314

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Upland Colony Elementary - 05 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mount Vernon Elementary - 02 (rated 8.9/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Mount Vernon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Longfellow Elementary - 05 (rated 8.8/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Mitchell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, L. B. Williams Elementary - 03 (rated 7.8/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Mitchell), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Forestburg, see our Forestburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.0 mi
School Distance Rating
MITCHELL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mitchell 10.8 mi 7.4
Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary - 04 Mitchell 11.0 mi 6.3
Mitchell High School - 01 Mitchell 11.1 mi 6.4
Mitchell Middle School - 02 Mitchell 11.4 mi 7.2
Longfellow Elementary - 05 Mitchell 11.7 mi 8.8
Abbott House High School - 07 Mitchell 12.4 mi 4.1
Abbott House Elementary - 06 Mitchell 12.4 mi
JOHN PAUL II ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mitchell 12.4 mi 6.6
L. B. Williams Elementary - 03 Mitchell 12.8 mi 7.8
Sanborn Central High School - 01 Forestburg 12.1 mi 8.8
Sanborn Central Middle School - 02 Forestburg 12.1 mi 8.4
Sanborn Central Elementary - 06 Forestburg 12.1 mi 7.7
Millbrook Colony Elementary - 04 Alexandria 15.3 mi
Hanson Colony Alternative High School - 07 Alexandria 15.3 mi
Rosedale Colony Elementary - 11 Mitchell 18.1 mi
Hanson High School - 01 Alexandria 18.0 mi 7.6
Hanson Middle School - 02 Alexandria 18.0 mi 7.9
Hanson Elementary - 06 Alexandria 18.0 mi 7.3
Mount Vernon Elementary - 02 Mount Vernon 18.0 mi 8.9
Mount Vernon High School- 01 Mount Vernon 18.0 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57314 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,125

Median Home Value

$119,000

Median Rent

$783/mo

Population

535

College Educated

21.2%

Homeownership

77.8%

Poverty Rate

10.8%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Upland Colony Elementary - 05 has a median household income of $68,125. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $119,000, with a median rent of $783/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central Meade County School - 09 Whitewood, SD 7.4
Spring Creek Colony Elementary - 04 Leola, SD 7.8
Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 Parkston, SD 7.3
Rock Creek Grant School Bullhead, SD 7.3
Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14 Platte, SD 7.9
Bowdle Elementary - 02 Bowdle, SD 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Upland Colony Elementary - 05

What grades does Upland Colony Elementary - 05 serve?

Upland Colony Elementary - 05 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Upland Colony Elementary - 05?

Upland Colony Elementary - 05 has an enrollment of approximately 40 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Upland Colony Elementary - 05?

The student-teacher ratio at Upland Colony Elementary - 05 is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Upland Colony Elementary - 05 rank in SD?

Upland Colony Elementary - 05 is ranked #124 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Upland Colony Elementary - 05's MySchoolScout rating?

Upland Colony Elementary - 05 has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Upland Colony Elementary - 05?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Upland Colony Elementary - 05 has 21.7% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Upland Colony Elementary - 05 a charter school?

No, Upland Colony Elementary - 05 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Upland Colony Elementary - 05 a Title I school?

No, Upland Colony Elementary - 05 is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Sanborn County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sanborn Central School District 55-5
District Enrollment
215
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,443
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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