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Average

#212 of 574 schools in SD

Top 37% in state

Wessington Springs Elementary - 02

Elementary School · Wessington Springs School District 36-2

PO Box 449, Wessington Springs, SD 57382

Enrollment

140

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wessington Springs

#3 of 4

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#106 of 271

In district

#3 of 4

Wessington Springs School District 36-2

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Wessington Springs Elementary - 02

Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 is a small, rural elementary school located in Wessington Springs, South Dakota. Serving students from pre-K through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 140 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers. Set against the backdrop of Jerauld County’s vast rural landscapes, Wessington Springs Elementary provides a close-knit educational environment where each child receives individualized attention.

While the school has room for academic growth, it continues to focus on student development and community engagement. On MySchoolScout's rating system, Wessington Springs Elementary scores 5.1 out of 10 overall, placing it in the 44th percentile among South Dakota schools. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 52%, with Math proficiency sitting slightly lower at 49%.

Despite its remote location and small size, the school fosters a supportive community where students can thrive both academically and socially. Wessington Springs Elementary stands as an integral part of this rural South Dakota town, offering a nurturing educational setting for young learners in a close-knit neighborhood.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 140 students, Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 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.

Located in a rural area, Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 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 Progress6.8Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.5Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,106

Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 — Students at Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
47%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 Compares

See how Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
63th percentile in SD
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

PO Box 449, Wessington Springs, SD 57382

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Plankinton Elementary - 02 (rated 9.3/10, 26.0 miles away, in nearby Plankinton), which scores notably higher. Another option is White Lake Elementary - 02 (rated 8.0/10, 25.9 miles away, in nearby White Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Woonsocket Elementary - 03 (rated 6.3/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Woonsocket), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Wessington Springs, see our Wessington Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Wessington Springs Elementary Cyber School - 94 Wessington Springs 0.0 mi
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 Wessington Springs 0.5 mi 8.3
Wessington Springs High School - 01 Wessington Springs 0.5 mi 7.3
Wessington Springs Middle School Cyber School - 93 Wessington Springs 0.5 mi
Wessington Springs High School Cyber School - 92 Wessington Springs 0.5 mi 3.2
Woonsocket Elementary - 03 Woonsocket 14.0 mi 6.3
Woonsocket High School - 01 Woonsocket 14.0 mi 9.2
Spring Valley Colony Elementary - 05 Wessington Springs 16.5 mi
Wolsey Wessington Middle School - 03 Wolsey 22.8 mi 5.9
Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 Wolsey 22.8 mi 5.7
Wolsey Wessington High School - 01 Wolsey 22.8 mi 7.0
Aurora Plains Academy High School - 05 Plankinton 25.1 mi
Aurora Plains Academy Middle School - 04 Plankinton 25.1 mi
Dakota Reach - 06 Plankinton 25.1 mi
Dakota Reach Middle School - 07 Plankinton 25.1 mi
Plankinton Elementary - 02 Plankinton 26.0 mi 9.3
Plankinton High School - 01 Plankinton 26.0 mi 7.8
Plankinton Jr. High - 03 Plankinton 26.0 mi 6.6
White Lake Elementary - 02 White Lake 25.9 mi 8.0
White Lake High School - 01 White Lake 25.9 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57382 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,083

Median Home Value

$132,100

Median Rent

$457/mo

Population

1,238

College Educated

27.3%

Homeownership

79.4%

Avg Commute

16.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

54.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $77,083. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $132,100, with a median rent of $457/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Edgemont Elementary - 03 Edgemont, SD 6.9
North Park Elementary - 08 Belle Fourche, SD 6.8
Rosholt Elementary - 02 Rosholt, SD 6.8
Tyndall Elementary - 04 Tyndall, SD 6.8
CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City, SD 7.1
IMACULATE CONCEPTION Watertown, SD 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wessington Springs Elementary - 02

What grades does Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 serve?

Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Wessington Springs Elementary - 02?

Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 140 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wessington Springs Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 is ranked #212 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Wessington Springs Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Wessington Springs Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 has 48.7% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 a charter school?

No, Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

No, Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wessington Springs Elementary - 02?

37.1% of students at Wessington Springs Elementary - 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Jerauld County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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