Average
#31 of 56 private schools in SD
Watertown Christian School
Elementary School
15 12TH AVE NE, Watertown, SD 57201
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
Enrollment
60
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Watertown Christian School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Watertown, SD
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (605) 882-0949
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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