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Average

#31 of 56 private schools in SD

Watertown Christian School

Elementary School

15 12TH AVE NE, Watertown, SD 57201

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 8 schools in Watertown. Learn more

Enrollment

60

Student-Teacher

9.4:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Watertown

#3 of 4

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#14 of 33

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Watertown Christian School

Watertown Christian School serves 60 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Watertown, South Dakota. Despite its name suggesting a private institution, this elementary school operates as a regular public school with 6 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1. The school earns a solid 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 37th among South Dakota's 56 elementary schools, placing it in the 36th percentile statewide.

This small school setting allows for personalized attention and close student-teacher relationships that can benefit young learners during their foundational academic years. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $65,761 and median home values reach $213,300. About 21% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate sits at 11.2%.

These demographics suggest a working-class community with moderate economic stability. Located at 15 12th Avenue NE, Watertown Christian School sits in the heart of a remote town setting within Codington County, offering students a close-knit educational experience in South Dakota's rural landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 60 students, Watertown Christian School 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 9.4:1, Watertown Christian School 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.

As a private school, Watertown Christian School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$11,586
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$11,471
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.99x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
55%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$764,373

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 60 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Watertown Christian School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Watertown, SD

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
This School
vs
14.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
60
This School
vs
309
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.2
This School
vs
6.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 90% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.7% vs 0%
Black 1.7% vs 0%
Asian 1.7% vs 0%
Watertown Christian School Watertown Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Watertown Christian School (this school) 6.2
Jefferson Elementary - 09 5.5
Mellette Elementary - 07 7.5
Watertown Middle School - 02 6.1
Watertown Intermediate School - 13 5.8
Lincoln Elementary - 05 7.8
McKinley Elementary - 06 7.6
Roosevelt Elementary - 08 4.4
Sunrise Colony - 15

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in SD.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,162
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 19%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 60
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in SD

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 90.0%
Hispanic 6.7%
Black 1.7%
Asian 1.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

15 12TH AVE NE, Watertown, SD 57201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Watertown Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Waverly-South Shore Elementary - 02 (rated 8.2/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Waverly), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lincoln Elementary - 05 (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McKinley Elementary - 06 (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Watertown, see our Watertown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ST MARTINS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown 0.1 mi 5.4
Jefferson Elementary - 09 Watertown 0.4 mi 5.5
GREAT PLAINS LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Watertown 0.4 mi 7.2
Mellette Elementary - 07 Watertown 0.6 mi 7.5
Watertown Intermediate School - 13 Watertown 0.9 mi 5.8
Watertown Middle School - 02 Watertown 0.9 mi 6.1
IMACULATE CONCEPTION Watertown 1.3 mi 7.1
Lincoln Elementary - 05 Watertown 1.0 mi 7.8
Watertown High School - 01 Watertown 1.2 mi 4.2
Roosevelt Elementary - 08 Watertown 1.5 mi 4.4
McKinley Elementary - 06 Watertown 1.5 mi 7.6
Waverly-South Shore Elementary - 02 Waverly 9.1 mi 8.2
Waverly-South Shore High School - 01 Waverly 9.1 mi 6.8
Waverly-South Shore Middle School - 03 Waverly 9.1 mi 5.6
Castlewood Elementary - 02 Castlewood 13.8 mi 5.4
Castlewood High School - 01 Castlewood 13.8 mi 7.8
Castlewood Middle School - 03 Castlewood 13.8 mi 4.4
Florence Elementary - 02 Florence 14.3 mi 4.7
Florence High School - 01 Florence 14.3 mi 6.5
Florence Middle School - 03 Florence 14.3 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,809

Median Home Value

$223,600

Median Rent

$903/mo

Population

26,375

College Educated

21.3%

Homeownership

66%

Avg Commute

14.1 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Watertown Christian School has a median household income of $64,809. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,600, with a median rent of $903/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Newport Colony Elementary - 04 Langford, SD 6.2
Oelrichs Elementary - 02 Oelrichs, SD 6.3
Orland Colony Elementary - 04 Montrose, SD 6.1
Colome Elementary - 02 Colome, SD 6.4
Spring Creek Elementary - 07 St. Francis, SD 6.0
Norris Elementary - 08 White River, SD 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Watertown Christian School

What grades does Watertown Christian School serve?

Watertown Christian School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Watertown Christian School?

Watertown Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 60 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Watertown Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Watertown Christian School is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Watertown Christian School rank in SD?

Watertown Christian School is ranked #31 out of 56 private schools in SD.

What is Watertown Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Watertown Christian School has a composite rating of 6.2 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.

Is Watertown Christian School a private school?

Yes, Watertown Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Watertown Christian School a religious school?

Watertown Christian School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,332/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watertown). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
60
Gender Split
45% M / 55% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
166 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
CODINGTON
Data Year
2022–2023

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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