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Excellent

#4 of 574 schools in SD

Top 1% 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

9.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#4 of 574

In district

#1 of 8

Brandon Valley School District 49-2

Academic performance

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Valley Springs Elementary - 04

9.3/10

Elementary School in Valley Springs · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Brandon Valley High School - 01

6.8/10

5.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Brandon Valley Middle School - 02

7.2/10

5.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Valley Springs Elementary - 04

Valley Springs Elementary - 04 is a public elementary school in Valley Springs, SD, part of Brandon Valley School District 49-2. Valley Springs Elementary - 04 serves approximately 67 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley Springs Elementary - 04 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10 and ranks #4 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Valley Springs Elementary - 04 show 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 9.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.0
  • SD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 67 students, Valley Springs Elementary - 04 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Valley Springs Elementary - 04 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.59 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency75% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+25.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,304
Chronic Absenteeism6%

Valley Springs Elementary - 04 — Students at Valley Springs Elementary - 04 score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 74.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 79.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2015
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2016
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2017
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2018
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2019
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2020*
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2021*
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2022
Math
64.5%
ELA
84.5%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Valley Springs Elementary - 04 Compares

See how Valley Springs Elementary - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.3/10
100th percentile in SD
Academic
9.7/10
Excellent
Growth
9.4/10
Excellent
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
6.0%

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. HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY (rated 9.2/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Beaver Creek), with a very similar rating. Another option is Inspiration Elementary - 08 (rated 8.2/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Sioux Falls), a more accessible option. Additionally, CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY LOVING SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Sioux Falls), a more accessible option. For more schools in Valley Springs, see our Valley Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Brandon Valley High School - 01 Brandon 5.1 mi 6.8
Brandon Valley Middle School - 02 Brandon 5.4 mi 7.2
Brandon Elementary - 03 Brandon 5.6 mi 7.7
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY Beaver Creek 5.9 mi 9.2
Robert Bennis Elementary - 05 Brandon 5.9 mi 7.0
Brandon Valley Intermediate - 07 Brandon 6.1 mi 8.1
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY Hills 6.5 mi 8.6
HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hills 7.1 mi
Garretson Elementary - 02 Garretson 9.2 mi 4.5
Garretson High School - 01 Garretson 9.2 mi 4.2
Garretson Middle School - 03 Garretson 9.2 mi 5.4
Fred Assam Elementary - 06 Sioux Falls 8.2 mi 7.7
SIOUX FALLS ADVENTIST SCHOOL Sioux Falls 8.9 mi
Inspiration Elementary - 08 Sioux Falls 9.5 mi 8.2
Ben Reifel Middle School - 68 Sioux Falls 9.7 mi 4.9
Rosa Parks Elementary - 15 Sioux Falls 10.0 mi 2.9
West Lyon Elementary School Inwood 13.3 mi 7.7
West Lyon High School Inwood 13.3 mi 7.3
West Lyon Junior High School Inwood 13.3 mi 7.1
CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY LOVING SCHOOL Sioux Falls 10.2 mi 8.1

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Big Stone City Elementary - 01 Big Stone City, SD 9.5
Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14 Platte, SD 8.9
Springfield Elementary - 03 Springfield, SD 8.9
Hoven Elementary - 02 Hoven, SD 8.7
Doland Elementary - 03 Doland, SD 8.6
Leola Elementary - 02 Leola, SD 8.4

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 ranks #4 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Valley Springs Elementary - 04's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Springs Elementary - 04 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Valley Springs Elementary - 04?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley Springs Elementary - 04 has 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
6.0%

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