Very Good

#117 of 574 schools in SD

Top 20% in state

Wakpala Middle School - 04

Middle School · Smee School District 15-3

12250 SD Hwy 1806, Wakpala, SD 57658

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#117 of 574

In Wakpala

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Smee School District 15-3

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Middle School in Wakpala · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Wakpala Middle School - 04

Wakpala Middle School - 04 is a public middle school in Wakpala, SD, part of Smee School District 15-3. Wakpala Middle School - 04 serves approximately 35 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 8.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Wakpala Middle School - 04 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #117 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Wakpala Middle School - 04 show 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).

How it compares1.8 pts above SD schools

7.8

This school 7.8 · Very Good
SD avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 35 students, Wakpala Middle School - 04 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 8.8:1 students to teachers, Wakpala Middle School - 04 sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Wakpala Middle School - 04 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 metrics

Student Progress9.9Excellent40%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data10

Annual Change+1.29 pts/yr

Data Period2012–2022

TrendImproving

Academics4.5Below Average35%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+1.0 pts

Adjusted Percentile26th

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent25%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio8.8:1

Per-Pupil Spending$23,649

Chronic Absenteeism45.7%

Wakpala Middle School - 04 — Students at Wakpala Middle School - 04 score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

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 7.0% (multi-year average, 2012-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 23.7% (multi-year average, 2012-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 20 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2012

Math

15%

ELA

15%

2014

Math

ELA

2015

Math

ELA

15%

2016

Math

ELA

24.5%

2017

Math

ELA

24.5%

2018

Math

ELA

24.5%

2019

Math

ELA

24.5%

2020*

Math

ELA

34.5%

2021*

Math

ELA

34.5%

2022

Math

15%

ELA

34.5%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Wakpala Middle School - 04 Compares

See how Wakpala Middle School - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

7.8/10

80th percentile in SD

Academic

4.5/10

Below Average

Growth

9.9/10

Excellent

Environment

8.9/10

Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

100%

Teaching Staff

9:1 student-teacher ratio

4 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

45.7%

Location

12250 SD Hwy 1806, Wakpala, SD 57658

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wakpala Middle School - 04 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mobridge Middle School - 02 (rated 7.6/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Mobridge), with a very similar rating. Another option is FORT YATES MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 33.2 miles away, in nearby Fort Yates), a more accessible option. Additionally, Herreid Middle School - 03 (rated 5.9/10, 26.3 miles away, in nearby Herreid), a more accessible option. For more schools in Wakpala, see our Wakpala schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.1 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Wakpala Elementary - 02 Wakpala	0.0 mi	84	7.8
Wakpala High School - 01 Wakpala	0.0 mi	64	6.8
Mobridge High School - 01 Mobridge	7.1 mi	190	7.8
Mobridge Middle School - 02 Mobridge	7.1 mi	111	7.6
Mobridge Upper Elementary - 04 Mobridge	7.1 mi	144	8.3
Freeman Davis Elementary - 03 Mobridge	7.5 mi	146	7.4
Little Eagle School Little Eagle	14.1 mi	67	7.6
LITTLE EAGLE GRANT SCHOOL Little Eagle	14.1 mi	62	5.7
McLaughlin High School - 01 Mclaughlin	18.9 mi	147	4.8
McLaughlin Middle School - 03 Mclaughlin	18.9 mi	71	4.0
McLaughlin Elementary - 02 Mclaughlin	18.9 mi	209	3.8
ST BERNARD MISSION SCHOOL Fort Yates	33.0 mi	24	—
Tiospaye Topa School Ridgeview	33.6 mi	178	—
FORT YATES PK SCHOOL Fort Yates	33.2 mi	9	—
FORT YATES MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Yates	33.2 mi	53	6.3
Standing Rock Community School Fort Yates	33.2 mi	565	—
Herreid Elementary - 02 Herreid	26.3 mi	73	7.7
Herreid High School - 01 Herreid	26.3 mi	42	7.9
Herreid Middle School - 03 Herreid	26.3 mi	32	5.9
Selby High School - 01 Selby	25.1 mi	52	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	Enrollment	Rating
Ethan Jr. High - 03 Ethan, SD	43	7.6
McIntosh Middle School - 03 Mcintosh, SD	40	7.5
Arlington Jr. High - 03 Arlington, SD	37	7.4
Sanborn Central Middle School - 02 Forestburg, SD	30	8.2
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 Wessington Springs, SD	42	7.2
Colome Middle School - 03 Colome, SD	36	7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wakpala Middle School - 04

What grades does Wakpala Middle School - 04 serve?

Wakpala Middle School - 04 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Wakpala Middle School - 04?

Wakpala Middle School - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 35 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wakpala Middle School - 04?

The student-teacher ratio at Wakpala Middle School - 04 is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wakpala Middle School - 04 rank in SD?

Wakpala Middle School - 04 ranks #117 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Wakpala Middle School - 04's MySchoolScout rating?

Wakpala Middle School - 04 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 Middle School - 04?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wakpala Middle School - 04 has 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).

Is Wakpala Middle School - 04 a charter school?

No, Wakpala Middle School - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wakpala Middle School - 04 a Title I school?

No, Wakpala Middle School - 04 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wakpala Middle School - 04?

100.0% of students at Wakpala Middle School - 04 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.