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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.6Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,149

Wakpala Middle School - 04 — Students at Wakpala Middle School - 04 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 8.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
5%
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: 9.1/10.

How Wakpala Middle School - 04 Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
79th percentile in SD
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
9.1/10
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
4 teachers

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.

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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Smee School District 15-3
District Enrollment
183
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,649
District Rank
#1 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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