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
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
7.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Wakpala High School - 01 — Students at Wakpala High School - 01 score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
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 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Wakpala High School - 01 Compares
See how Wakpala High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (605) 845-3040
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Smee School District 15-3- District Enrollment
- 183
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,649
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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