Average
#235 of 574 schools in SD
Top 41% in state
Valley Springs Elementary - 04
Elementary School · Brandon Valley School District 49-2
PO Box 130, Valley Springs, SD 57068
Enrollment
67
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
67
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
South Dakota elementary schools
#119 of 271
In district
#3 of 8
Brandon Valley School District 49-2
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Valley Springs Elementary - 04
Valley Springs Elementary - 04 serves 67 students in kindergarten through fourth grade with an impressive 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. This small public elementary school has earned recognition as one of South Dakota's top-performing schools, ranking 12th out of 586 elementary schools statewide and earning a strong 8.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, with 84% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading.
In mathematics, 64% of students achieve proficiency or higher. These results reflect the dedicated work of six full-time equivalent teachers who provide personalized attention to their students in this intimate learning environment. Valley Springs Elementary serves a stable community where the median household income reaches $106,908 and only 2.6% of families live below the poverty line.
The area shows strong family investment in education and community, with median home values around $217,900. While 23% of adults in the ZIP code hold bachelor's degrees or higher, families clearly prioritize their children's academic success. This high-performing elementary school operates in rural Valley Springs, South Dakota, within Minnehaha County, offering students a close-knit educational experience in a supportive small-town setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 67 students, Valley Springs Elementary - 04 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, Valley Springs Elementary - 04 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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Valley Springs Elementary - 04 — Students at Valley Springs Elementary - 04 score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.9%
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: 4.6/10.
How Valley Springs Elementary - 04 Compares
See how Valley Springs Elementary - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84.5% (2019) to 64.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 84.5% (2019) to 84.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 130, Valley Springs, SD 57068
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valley Springs Elementary - 04 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY LOVING SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Sioux Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fred Assam Elementary - 06 (rated 7.8/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Sioux Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Beaver Creek), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Valley Springs, see our Valley Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57068 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,222
Median Home Value
$251,500
Median Rent
$1,096/mo
Population
1,699
College Educated
28.3%
Homeownership
85.4%
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Median Age
48.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Valley Springs Elementary - 04 has a median household income of $107,222. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,500, with a median rent of $1,096/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Norris Elementary - 08 White River, SD | 6.6 |
| Red Shirt School - 04 Batesland, SD | 6.7 |
| Colome Elementary - 02 Colome, SD | 6.4 |
| Avon Elementary - 02 Avon, SD | 6.8 |
| Grass Ranch Colony Elementary - 13 Kimball, SD | 6.8 |
| North Park Elementary - 08 Belle Fourche, SD | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valley Springs Elementary - 04
What grades does Valley Springs Elementary - 04 serve?
Valley Springs Elementary - 04 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Valley Springs Elementary - 04?
Valley Springs Elementary - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 67 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Springs Elementary - 04?
The student-teacher ratio at Valley Springs Elementary - 04 is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Valley Springs Elementary - 04 rank in SD?
Valley Springs Elementary - 04 is ranked #235 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Valley Springs Elementary - 04's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Springs Elementary - 04 has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Valley Springs Elementary - 04?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Springs Elementary - 04 has 77.8% math proficiency and 88.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Valley Springs Elementary - 04 a charter school?
No, Valley Springs Elementary - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valley Springs Elementary - 04 a Title I school?
No, Valley Springs Elementary - 04 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Springs Elementary - 04?
23.9% of students at Valley Springs Elementary - 04 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
- County Safety
- Low (97/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 67
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Minnehaha County
- Phone
- (605) 757-6285
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Brandon Valley School District 49-2- District Enrollment
- 4,991
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,304
- District Rank
- #3 of 8
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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