Average
#321 of 574 schools in SD
Watertown Middle School - 02
Middle School · Watertown School District 14-4
PO Box 730, Watertown, SD 57201
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
6.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
6.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watertown
#4 of 8
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#71 of 144
In district
#4 of 8
Watertown School District 14-4
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Watertown Middle School - 02
Watertown Middle School - 02 is a regular public middle school located in the remote town of Watertown, South Dakota. The school serves students from seventh through eighth grade with an enrollment of 587 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1. There are 37 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic growth of each student.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.8 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking at #243 among 586 schools in South Dakota, placing it in the 59th percentile. Academically, Watertown Middle School scores a 7.2 out of 10, with 65% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 47% proficiency or above in Math. Watertown is a small community where students benefit from close-knit relationships within the school environment.
The school focuses on fostering a supportive learning atmosphere for its middle school-aged children, providing them with opportunities to develop both academically and socially during these formative years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Watertown Middle School - 02 — Students at Watertown Middle School - 02 score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.9%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How Watertown Middle School - 02 Compares
See how Watertown Middle School - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 50% (2019) to 48% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 64% (2022).
Location
PO Box 730, Watertown, SD 57201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watertown Middle School - 02 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Watertown Intermediate School - 13 (rated 5.8/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Waverly-South Shore Middle School - 03 (rated 5.6/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Waverly), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Castlewood Middle School - 03 (rated 4.4/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Castlewood), a more accessible option. For more schools in Watertown, see our Watertown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.6 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 Middle School - 02 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 |
|---|---|
| Harrisburg South Middle School - 03 Harrisburg, SD | 6.1 |
| Brandon Valley Intermediate - 07 Brandon, SD | 6.2 |
| Southwest Middle School - 38 Rapid City, SD | 6.2 |
| North Middle School - 35 Rapid City, SD | 5.8 |
| Watertown Intermediate School - 13 Watertown, SD | 5.8 |
| South Middle School - 36 Rapid City, SD | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Watertown Middle School - 02
What grades does Watertown Middle School - 02 serve?
Watertown Middle School - 02 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Watertown Middle School - 02?
Watertown Middle School - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 587 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watertown Middle School - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Watertown Middle School - 02 is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Watertown Middle School - 02 rank in SD?
Watertown Middle School - 02 is ranked #321 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Watertown Middle School - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Watertown Middle School - 02 has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Middle School - 02?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watertown Middle School - 02 has 46.7% math proficiency and 64.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Watertown Middle School - 02 a charter school?
No, Watertown Middle School - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Watertown Middle School - 02 a Title I school?
No, Watertown Middle School - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watertown Middle School - 02?
27.9% of students at Watertown Middle School - 02 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,332/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watertown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 587
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Codington County
- Phone
- (605) 882-6370
- 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
- #4 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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