Average
#257 of 574 schools in SD
Top 45% in state
West Central Middle School - 04
Middle School · West Central School District 49-7
PO Box 730, Hartford, SD 57033
Enrollment
302
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
302
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hartford
#2 of 4
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#55 of 144
In district
#2 of 4
West Central School District 49-7
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About West Central Middle School - 04
West Central Middle School - 04 is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Hartford, South Dakota. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 302 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, West Central Middle School offers a supportive educational environment where each student receives individual attention.
The school’s MySchoolScout Rating is 5.1 out of 10 and it ranks 320th among 586 schools in South Dakota. In terms of academic performance, 49% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 36% meet proficiency standards in Math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school is focused on fostering student development and growth.
West Central Middle School sits in a rural area where the community feels close-knit and supportive of its educational institutions.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Central Middle School - 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
West Central Middle School - 04 — Students at West Central Middle School - 04 score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.2%
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: 9.0/10.
How West Central Middle School - 04 Compares
See how West Central Middle School - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 44% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 48% (2019) to 50% (2022).
Location
PO Box 730, Hartford, SD 57033
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Central Middle School - 04 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Memorial Middle School - 04 (rated 5.8/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Sioux Falls), with a comparable rating. Another option is George McGovern Middle School -09 (rated 5.6/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Sioux Falls), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Tri-Valley Intermediate School - 03 (rated 3.6/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Colton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hartford, see our Hartford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57033 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$98,156
Median Home Value
$280,500
Median Rent
$949/mo
Population
5,947
College Educated
35.5%
Homeownership
82.9%
Avg Commute
22.3 min
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Central Middle School - 04 has a median household income of $98,156. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $280,500, with a median rent of $949/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Wagner Middle School - 03 Wagner, SD | 6.6 |
| Canton Middle School - 04 Canton, SD | 6.3 |
| Dakota Valley Middle School - 03 North Sioux City, SD | 6.1 |
| Sisseton Middle School - 02 Sisseton, SD | 6.9 |
| Lennox Jr. High - 08 Lennox, SD | 7.0 |
| Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 Dell Rapids, SD | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Central Middle School - 04
What grades does West Central Middle School - 04 serve?
West Central Middle School - 04 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend West Central Middle School - 04?
West Central Middle School - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 302 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Central Middle School - 04?
The student-teacher ratio at West Central Middle School - 04 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 West Central Middle School - 04 rank in SD?
West Central Middle School - 04 is ranked #257 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is West Central Middle School - 04's MySchoolScout rating?
West Central Middle School - 04 has a composite rating of 6.5 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 West Central Middle School - 04?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Central Middle School - 04 has 36.0% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Central Middle School - 04 a charter school?
No, West Central Middle School - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Central Middle School - 04 a Title I school?
No, West Central Middle School - 04 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Central Middle School - 04?
13.2% of students at West Central Middle School - 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
- County Safety
- Low (97/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 302
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Minnehaha County
- Phone
- (605) 528-3799
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Central School District 49-7- District Enrollment
- 1,409
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,984
- District Rank
- #2 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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