Average
#259 of 574 schools in SD
Top 45% in state
Based on limited data
West Elementary - 03
Elementary School · Spearfish School District 40-2
525 E Illinois, Spearfish, SD 57783
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SD statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
1st – 2nd
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
1st – 2nd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spearfish
#1 of 5
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#128 of 271
In district
#1 of 5
Spearfish School District 40-2
About West Elementary - 03
West Elementary - 03 serves 348 students in grades 1-2 in Spearfish, South Dakota, offering a focused learning environment during these crucial early elementary years. With 32 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1, allowing for more individualized attention as young learners develop foundational reading, writing, and math skills. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking #116 out of 586 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 80th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10.
This solid academic standing reflects the school's commitment to early childhood education during these formative grades. West Elementary - 03 is located at 525 E Illinois in a stable community where 43% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $64,500. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 10.4% and median home values of $288,500 indicate a community that values education and provides supportive resources for student learning.
The school operates in the welcoming town setting of Spearfish, part of Lawrence County, where families benefit from both small-town community connections and access to educational resources that help young students build strong academic foundations.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How West Elementary - 03 Compares
See how West Elementary - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
525 E Illinois, Spearfish, SD 57783
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Elementary - 03 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whitewood Elementary - 04 (rated 9.0/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Whitewood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sturgis Elementary - 03 (rated 7.2/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Sturgis), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, North Park Elementary - 08 (rated 6.8/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Belle Fourche), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Spearfish, see our Spearfish schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57783 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,970
Median Home Value
$332,300
Median Rent
$946/mo
Population
16,929
College Educated
40%
Homeownership
57.5%
Avg Commute
15.9 min
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Median Age
40
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Elementary - 03 has a median household income of $64,970. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $332,300, with a median rent of $946/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL Rapid City, SD | 6.5 |
| Beadle Elementary - 03 Yankton, SD | 6.6 |
| Explorer Elementary - 04 Sioux Falls, SD | 6.4 |
| Journey Elementary - 05 Sioux Falls, SD | 6.4 |
| Lead-Deadwood Elementary - 03 Deadwood, SD | 6.4 |
| May Overby Elementary - 09 Aberdeen, SD | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Elementary - 03
What grades does West Elementary - 03 serve?
West Elementary - 03 serves students in grades 1st through 2nd.
How many students attend West Elementary - 03?
West Elementary - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 348 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Elementary - 03?
The student-teacher ratio at West Elementary - 03 is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Elementary - 03 rank in SD?
West Elementary - 03 is ranked #259 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is West Elementary - 03's MySchoolScout rating?
West Elementary - 03 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.
Is West Elementary - 03 a charter school?
No, West Elementary - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Elementary - 03 a Title I school?
No, West Elementary - 03 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Elementary - 03?
17.0% of students at West Elementary - 03 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
- High (2,087/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Spearfish). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 2nd
- Enrollment
- 348
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lawrence County
- Phone
- (605) 717-1205
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Spearfish School District 40-2- District Enrollment
- 2,387
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,621
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
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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