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Very Good

#183 of 574 schools in SD

Top 32% in state

Wakpala High School - 01

High School · Smee School District 15-3

12250 SD Hwy 1806, Wakpala, SD 57658

Enrollment

64

Student-Teacher

9.1:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wakpala

#3 of 3

public schools

South Dakota high schools

#48 of 156

In district

#3 of 3

Smee School District 15-3

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Wakpala High School - 01

Wakpala High School - 01 is a small high school located in the remote rural area of Wakpala, South Dakota. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 64 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention. With seven full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school aims to provide a nurturing educational environment.

Wakpala High School's MySchoolScout rating is 4.1 out of 10, placing it in the 23rd percentile among South Dakota schools. The academic score is 2.1/10, with 25% of students proficient or above in both ELA and math. While these scores indicate room for improvement academically, the school focuses on student development and community engagement to support its learners.

The school's setting in a remote rural area means that it plays an essential role in providing educational opportunities to the local community. Despite its challenges, Wakpala High School strives to offer a supportive environment where students can grow and thrive.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 64 students, Wakpala High School - 01 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 9.1:1, Wakpala High School - 01 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 High School - 01 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,149

Wakpala High School - 01 — Students at Wakpala High School - 01 score 25% 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 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
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
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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 High School - 01 Compares

See how Wakpala High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
68th percentile in SD
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
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
7 teachers

Location

12250 SD Hwy 1806, Wakpala, SD 57658

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wakpala High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. McLaughlin High School - 01 (rated 6.6/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Mclaughlin), with a comparable rating. Another option is Herreid High School - 01 (rated 6.3/10, 26.3 miles away, in nearby Herreid), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Selby High School - 01 (rated 6.2/10, 25.1 miles away, in nearby Selby), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Wakpala, see our Wakpala schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Wakpala Elementary - 02 Wakpala 0.0 mi 7.2
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 High School - 01 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
Community Campus - 41 Sioux Falls, SD 7.0
Iroquois High School - 01 Iroquois, SD 7.0
Lead-Deadwood Career & Technical Education - 10 Nemo, SD 7.0
Northwestern High School - 01 Mellette, SD 7.0
Hitchcock-Tulare High School - 01 Tulare, SD 7.3
Scotland High School - 01 Scotland, SD 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wakpala High School - 01

What grades does Wakpala High School - 01 serve?

Wakpala High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Wakpala High School - 01?

Wakpala High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 64 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wakpala High School - 01?

The student-teacher ratio at Wakpala High School - 01 is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wakpala High School - 01 rank in SD?

Wakpala High School - 01 is ranked #183 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Wakpala High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?

Wakpala High School - 01 has a composite rating of 7.1 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 High School - 01?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wakpala High School - 01 has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wakpala High School - 01 a charter school?

No, Wakpala High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wakpala High School - 01 a Title I school?

No, Wakpala High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wakpala High School - 01?

100.0% of students at Wakpala High School - 01 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
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
#3 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

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