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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.7Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.5%
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+25.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.8Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,941

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 77.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 88.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
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: 4.6/10.

How Valley Springs Elementary - 04 Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
59th percentile in SD
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Brandon Valley High School - 01 Brandon 5.1 mi 5.8
Brandon Valley Middle School - 02 Brandon 5.4 mi 6.5
Brandon Elementary - 03 Brandon 5.6 mi 6.5
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY Beaver Creek 5.9 mi 7.5
Robert Bennis Elementary - 05 Brandon 5.9 mi 6.5
Brandon Valley Intermediate - 07 Brandon 6.1 mi 6.2
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY Hills 6.5 mi 7.3
HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hills 7.1 mi
Garretson Elementary - 02 Garretson 9.2 mi 6.0
Garretson High School - 01 Garretson 9.2 mi 4.3
Garretson Middle School - 03 Garretson 9.2 mi 4.8
Fred Assam Elementary - 06 Sioux Falls 8.2 mi 7.8
SIOUX FALLS ADVENTIST SCHOOL Sioux Falls 8.9 mi
Inspiration Elementary - 08 Sioux Falls 9.5 mi 7.3
Ben Reifel Middle School - 68 Sioux Falls 9.7 mi 5.1
Rosa Parks Elementary - 15 Sioux Falls 10.0 mi 5.3
West Lyon Elementary School Inwood 13.3 mi 6.9
West Lyon High School Inwood 13.3 mi 6.3
West Lyon Junior High School Inwood 13.3 mi 6.6
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

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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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