Very Good
#116 of 574 schools in SD
Top 20% 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
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
84
Student-Teacher
9.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Dakota schools
#116 of 574
In Wakpala
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Smee School District 15-3
School environment
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Wakpala Elementary - 02
Elementary School in Wakpala · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Wakpala High School - 01
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wakpala Middle School - 04
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Wakpala Elementary - 02
Wakpala Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school in Wakpala, SD, part of Smee School District 15-3. Wakpala Elementary - 02 serves approximately 84 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 9.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Wakpala Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #116 of 574 schools in SD.
Structured state assessment records for Wakpala Elementary - 02 show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.8 · Very Good
- SD avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 84 students, Wakpala Elementary - 02 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.
At 9.3:1 students to teachers, Wakpala Elementary - 02 sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Wakpala Elementary - 02 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Wakpala Elementary - 02 — Students at Wakpala Elementary - 02 score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 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: 8.6/10.
How Wakpala Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Wakpala Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Mobridge Upper Elementary - 04 (rated 8.3/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Mobridge), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Herreid Elementary - 02 (rated 7.7/10, 26.3 miles away, in nearby Herreid), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Little Eagle School (rated 7.6/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Little Eagle), 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 | 6.8 |
| Wakpala Middle School - 04 Wakpala | 0.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Mobridge High School - 01 Mobridge | 7.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Mobridge Middle School - 02 Mobridge | 7.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Mobridge Upper Elementary - 04 Mobridge | 7.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Freeman Davis Elementary - 03 Mobridge | 7.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Little Eagle School Little Eagle | 14.1 mi | 7.6 |
| LITTLE EAGLE GRANT SCHOOL Little Eagle | 14.1 mi | 5.7 |
| McLaughlin High School - 01 Mclaughlin | 18.9 mi | 4.8 |
| McLaughlin Middle School - 03 Mclaughlin | 18.9 mi | 4.0 |
| McLaughlin Elementary - 02 Mclaughlin | 18.9 mi | 3.8 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| Standing Rock Community School Fort Yates | 33.2 mi | — |
| Herreid Elementary - 02 Herreid | 26.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Herreid High School - 01 Herreid | 26.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Herreid Middle School - 03 Herreid | 26.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Selby High School - 01 Selby | 25.1 mi | 8.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Herreid Elementary - 02 Herreid, SD | 7.7 |
| Marion Elementary - 02 Marion, SD | 7.7 |
| Sanborn Central Elementary - 06 Forestburg, SD | 7.7 |
| Little Eagle School Little Eagle, SD | 7.6 |
| South Central Elementary - 03 Bonesteel, SD | 7.6 |
| CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY LOVING SCHOOL Sioux Falls, SD | 8.1 |
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 ranks #116 of 574 schools in SD.
What is Wakpala Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Wakpala Elementary - 02 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Wakpala Elementary - 02?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Wakpala Elementary - 02 has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.4%
- Phone
- (605) 845-3040
Resources & Links
District
Smee School District 15-3- District Enrollment
- 183
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,649
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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