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
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Upland Colony Elementary - 05 — Students at Upland Colony Elementary - 05 score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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: 9.6/10.
How Upland Colony Elementary - 05 Compares
See how Upland Colony Elementary - 05 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 49.5% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (605) 495-4183
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sanborn Central School District 55-5- District Enrollment
- 215
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,443
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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