Average
#366 of 574 schools in SD
Vandenberg Elementary - 02
Elementary School · Douglas School District 51-1
561 Briggs St, Box Elder, SD 57719
Enrollment
442
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.7
Grades
4th – 5th
Enrollment
442
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.7
Grades
4th – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Box Elder
#2 of 4
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#173 of 271
In district
#2 of 4
Douglas School District 51-1
About Vandenberg Elementary - 02
Vandenberg Elementary - 02 is a regular public elementary school located in Box Elder, South Dakota, on the edge of an urban area. The school serves students in grades four and five with an enrollment of 442 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention from its team of 28 full-time equivalent teachers. Vandenberg Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks as the 304th best school in South Dakota among 586 schools, placing it around the 48th percentile.
Academically, the school’s score is at 4.9 out of 10, with 51% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 45% proficient or above in Math. While these numbers indicate areas for growth, Vandenberg Elementary continues to focus on student development and improvement. The school is situated in a town setting near the outskirts of an urban environment, providing a blend of small-town charm and accessibility to city resources.
Score Breakdown
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Vandenberg Elementary - 02 — Students at Vandenberg Elementary - 02 score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.7%
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: 5.6/10.
How Vandenberg Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Vandenberg Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 50% (2022).
Location
561 Briggs St, Box Elder, SD 57719
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vandenberg Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Patriot Elementary -06 (rated 7.1/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rapid Valley Elementary - 12 (rated 5.6/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Box Elder, see our Box Elder schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57719 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,936
Median Home Value
$275,400
Median Rent
$1,212/mo
Population
11,475
College Educated
27.5%
Homeownership
61.6%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
31.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vandenberg Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $74,936. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $275,400, with a median rent of $1,212/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Camelot Intermediate - 06 Brookings, SD | 5.7 |
| Jolley Elementary - 04 Vermillion, SD | 5.7 |
| Pinedale Elementary - 11 Rapid City, SD | 5.7 |
| Tea Area Legacy Elementary - 01 Tea, SD | 5.7 |
| Austin Elementary - 03 Vermillion, SD | 5.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary - 04 Yankton, SD | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vandenberg Elementary - 02
What grades does Vandenberg Elementary - 02 serve?
Vandenberg Elementary - 02 serves students in grades 4th through 5th.
How many students attend Vandenberg Elementary - 02?
Vandenberg Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 442 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vandenberg Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Vandenberg Elementary - 02 is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vandenberg Elementary - 02 rank in SD?
Vandenberg Elementary - 02 is ranked #366 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Vandenberg Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Vandenberg Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Vandenberg Elementary - 02?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vandenberg Elementary - 02 has 45.0% math proficiency and 50.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Vandenberg Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, Vandenberg Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Vandenberg Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, Vandenberg Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vandenberg Elementary - 02?
31.7% of students at Vandenberg Elementary - 02 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,549/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Box Elder). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 4th – 5th
- Enrollment
- 442
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Pennington County
- Phone
- (605) 923-0060
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Douglas School District 51-1- District Enrollment
- 2,753
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,597
- District Rank
- #2 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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