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
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 — Students at Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.1%
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: 6.8/10.
How Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (605) 539-1754
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wessington Springs School District 36-2- District Enrollment
- 429
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,820
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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