Skip to main content

Very Good

#174 of 574 schools in SD

Top 30% in state

Wakpala Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Smee School District 15-3

12250 SD Hwy 1806, Wakpala, SD 57658

Enrollment

84

Student-Teacher

9.3:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wakpala

#2 of 3

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#95 of 271

In district

#2 of 3

Smee School District 15-3

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Wakpala Elementary - 02

Wakpala Elementary - 02 is a small rural elementary school located in the remote setting of Wakpala, South Dakota. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 84 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1. With nine full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides individualized attention to each child.

Academically, Wakpala Elementary - 02 has room for improvement. Its MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10, and it ranks 25th percentile among South Dakota schools. In ELA/Reading, 44% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 15% meet proficiency standards.

The school focuses on student development and growth to enhance academic performance. Wakpala Elementary - 02 is situated in a remote rural area, providing a close-knit community where students know each other well and teachers are deeply involved in their education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 84 students, Wakpala Elementary - 02 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1, Wakpala Elementary - 02 offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Wakpala Elementary - 02 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 Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected+6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,149

Wakpala Elementary - 02 — Students at Wakpala Elementary - 02 score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Wakpala Elementary - 02 Compares

See how Wakpala Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
70th percentile in SD
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

12250 SD Hwy 1806, Wakpala, SD 57658

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wakpala Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Herreid Elementary - 02 (rated 8.9/10, 26.3 miles away, in nearby Herreid), which scores notably higher. Another option is Little Eagle School (rated 8.1/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Little Eagle), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mobridge Upper Elementary - 04 (rated 7.3/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Mobridge), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Wakpala, see our Wakpala schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Wakpala High School - 01 Wakpala 0.0 mi 7.1
Wakpala Middle School - 04 Wakpala 0.0 mi 7.7
Mobridge High School - 01 Mobridge 7.1 mi 5.6
Mobridge Middle School - 02 Mobridge 7.1 mi 6.0
Mobridge Upper Elementary - 04 Mobridge 7.1 mi 7.3
Freeman Davis Elementary - 03 Mobridge 7.5 mi 6.5
Little Eagle School Little Eagle 14.1 mi 8.1
LITTLE EAGLE GRANT SCHOOL Little Eagle 14.1 mi 5.7
McLaughlin High School - 01 Mclaughlin 18.9 mi 6.6
McLaughlin Middle School - 03 Mclaughlin 18.9 mi 6.4
McLaughlin Elementary - 02 Mclaughlin 18.9 mi 6.6
ST BERNARD MISSION SCHOOL Fort Yates 33.0 mi
Tiospaye Topa School Ridgeview 33.6 mi
FORT YATES PK SCHOOL Fort Yates 33.2 mi
FORT YATES MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Yates 33.2 mi 6.9
Standing Rock Community School Fort Yates 33.2 mi
Herreid Elementary - 02 Herreid 26.3 mi 8.9
Herreid High School - 01 Herreid 26.3 mi 6.3
Herreid Middle School - 03 Herreid 26.3 mi 7.5
Selby High School - 01 Selby 25.1 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57658 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$25,938

Median Home Value

$81,300

Median Rent

$425/mo

Population

338

College Educated

16.3%

Homeownership

57.3%

Poverty Rate

62.7%

Median Age

26.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wakpala Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $25,938. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $81,300, with a median rent of $425/month. The area has a poverty rate of 62.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Wilmot Elementary - 02 Wilmot, SD 7.1
Edgemont Elementary - 03 Edgemont, SD 6.9
Langford Area Elementary - 02 Langford, SD 7.5
Burke Elementary - 02 Burke, SD 7.6
Avon Elementary - 02 Avon, SD 6.8
North Park Elementary - 08 Belle Fourche, SD 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wakpala Elementary - 02

What grades does Wakpala Elementary - 02 serve?

Wakpala Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Wakpala Elementary - 02?

Wakpala Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 84 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wakpala Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Wakpala Elementary - 02 is 9.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wakpala Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Wakpala Elementary - 02 is ranked #174 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Wakpala Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Wakpala Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Wakpala Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wakpala Elementary - 02 has 15.0% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wakpala Elementary - 02 a charter school?

No, Wakpala Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wakpala Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

No, Wakpala Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wakpala Elementary - 02?

100.0% of students at Wakpala 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
84
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Corson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Smee School District 15-3
District Enrollment
183
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,649
District Rank
#2 of 3

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.