Below Average
#537 of 574 schools in SD
Watertown High School - 01
High School · Watertown School District 14-4
PO Box 730, Watertown, SD 57201
Enrollment
1,222
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,222
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watertown
#8 of 8
public schools
South Dakota high schools
#146 of 156
In district
#8 of 8
Watertown School District 14-4
Academic performance
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Watertown High School - 01
Watertown High School - 01 serves 1,222 students in grades 9-12 in Watertown, South Dakota, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 and 72 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school ranks #274 out of 586 high schools statewide, placing it in the 53rd percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10. The school shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 69% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents an area with room for academic growth, as 39% of students demonstrate proficiency or above. With an academic score of 6.8 out of 10, Watertown High School continues focusing on student development across all subject areas. The school serves a community where the median household income is $65,761 and median home values reach $213,300.
About 21% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 11.2%. The ZIP code area has a population of 26,119 residents. Watertown High School is situated in a remote town setting in Codington County, providing education to students in this South Dakota community where families value both academic achievement and the close-knit atmosphere that smaller towns often foster.
Score Breakdown
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Watertown High School - 01 — Students at Watertown High School - 01 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.3/10.
How Watertown High School - 01 Compares
See how Watertown High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 39% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 69% (2022).
Location
PO Box 730, Watertown, SD 57201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watertown High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Castlewood High School - 01 (rated 7.8/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Castlewood), which scores notably higher. Another option is GREAT PLAINS LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Waverly-South Shore High School - 01 (rated 6.8/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Waverly), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Watertown, see our Watertown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.4 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 High School - 01 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 |
|---|---|
| Brookings High School - 01 Brookings, SD | 4.2 |
| Douglas High School - 03 Box Elder, SD | 4.2 |
| Sturgis Brown High School - 01 Sturgis, SD | 5.0 |
| Yankton High School - 01 Yankton, SD | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Watertown High School - 01
What grades does Watertown High School - 01 serve?
Watertown High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Watertown High School - 01?
Watertown High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 1,222 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watertown High School - 01?
The student-teacher ratio at Watertown High School - 01 is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Watertown High School - 01 rank in SD?
Watertown High School - 01 is ranked #537 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Watertown High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?
Watertown High School - 01 has a composite rating of 4.2 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.
What are the test scores at Watertown High School - 01?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watertown High School - 01 has 45.7% math proficiency and 71.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Watertown High School - 01 a charter school?
No, Watertown High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Watertown High School - 01 a Title I school?
No, Watertown High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watertown High School - 01?
21.0% of students at Watertown High School - 01 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watertown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,222
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 72
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Codington County
- Phone
- (605) 882-6316
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Watertown School District 14-4- District Enrollment
- 3,690
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,402
- District Rank
- #8 of 8
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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