Excellent
#57 of 574 schools in SD
Top 10% in state
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04
Middle School · Wessington Springs School District 36-2
PO Box 449, Wessington Springs, SD 57382
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
8.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
8.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wessington Springs
#1 of 4
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#12 of 144
In district
#1 of 4
Wessington Springs School District 36-2
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 is a public middle school in Wessington Springs, SD, part of the Wessington Springs School District 36-2. The school serves approximately 42 students in grades 7th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1.
It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.2th percentile among SD schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 45% proficiency in math and 55% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10).
Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $77,083, where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 42 students, Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 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 Jr. High - 04 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 — Students at Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 Compares
See how Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44.5% (2019) to 64.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 449, Wessington Springs, SD 57382
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Plankinton Jr. High - 03 (rated 6.6/10, 26.0 miles away, in nearby Plankinton), a more accessible option. Additionally, Wolsey Wessington Middle School - 03 (rated 5.9/10, 23.0 miles away, in nearby Wolsey), a more accessible option. For more schools in Wessington Springs, see our Wessington Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.7 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 Jr. High - 04 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 |
|---|---|
| Lake Preston Middle School - 03 Lake Preston, SD | 8.3 |
| Marion Middle School - 03 Marion, SD | 8.3 |
| Deubrook Jr. High - 02 White, SD | 8.4 |
| Sanborn Central Middle School - 02 Forestburg, SD | 8.4 |
| Miller Jr. High - 04 Miller, SD | 8.5 |
| Arlington Jr. High - 03 Arlington, SD | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04
What grades does Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 serve?
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04?
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 42 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04?
The student-teacher ratio at Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 rank in SD?
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 is ranked #57 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04's MySchoolScout rating?
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Jr. High - 04?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 has 44.5% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 a charter school?
No, Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 a Title I school?
No, Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04?
19.0% of students at Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 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. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 42
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Jerauld County
- Phone
- (605) 539-9391
- 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
- #1 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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