Very Good
#120 of 574 schools in SD
Top 21% in state
Wakpala Middle School - 04
Middle School · Smee School District 15-3
12250 SD Hwy 1806, Wakpala, SD 57658
Enrollment
35
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
35
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wakpala
#1 of 3
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#24 of 144
In district
#1 of 3
Smee School District 15-3
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Wakpala Middle School - 04
Wakpala Middle School - 04 is a small rural middle school located in Wakpala, South Dakota. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 35 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, ensuring that each student receives ample individual attention. The school's four full-time equivalent teachers work diligently with limited resources in a remote setting.
Academically, Wakpala Middle School - 04 is currently focusing on improving its performance. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranking 386th among the state’s 586 schools (34th percentile), there is room for growth in both ELA/Reading, where 31% of students are proficient or above, and Math, where only 8% meet proficiency standards. The school community thrives despite its challenges, with dedicated educators committed to the development and success of each student.
Wakpala Middle School - 04 is situated in a remote rural area, offering a tight-knit environment that fosters strong relationships between students, teachers, and families.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 35 students, Wakpala Middle School - 04 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 8.8:1, Wakpala Middle School - 04 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 Middle School - 04 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Wakpala Middle School - 04 — Students at Wakpala Middle School - 04 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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Wakpala Middle School - 04 Compares
See how Wakpala Middle School - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 24.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2022).
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. Herreid Middle School - 03 (rated 7.5/10, 26.3 miles away, in nearby Herreid), with a very similar rating. Another option is FORT YATES MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 33.2 miles away, in nearby Fort Yates), with a comparable rating. Additionally, McLaughlin Middle School - 03 (rated 6.4/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Mclaughlin), a more accessible option. 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 High School - 01 Wakpala | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| 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 Middle School - 04 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 |
|---|---|
| Alcester-Hudson Jr. High - 03 Alcester, SD | 7.7 |
| Highmore Jr. High - 03 Highmore, SD | 7.8 |
| Herreid Middle School - 03 Herreid, SD | 7.5 |
| Ethan Jr. High - 03 Ethan, SD | 7.4 |
| Arlington Jr. High - 03 Arlington, SD | 8.1 |
| Colome Middle School - 03 Colome, SD | 8.1 |
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 is ranked #120 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Wakpala Middle School - 04's MySchoolScout rating?
Wakpala Middle School - 04 has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Middle School - 04?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wakpala Middle School - 04 has 8.3% math proficiency and 31.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 35
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- 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
- #1 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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