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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 Score

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

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 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on SD state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.7Above Average51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,835

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/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.

Overall Score
6.5/10
55th percentile in SD
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Spearfish Middle School - 05 Spearfish 0.7 mi 6.4
Spearfish High School - 01 Spearfish 0.7 mi 6.0
Mountain View Elementary - 08 Spearfish 0.9 mi 6.5
Creekside Elementary - 07 Spearfish 1.2 mi 6.4
Spearfish Academy at Canyon Hills Elementary - 09 Spearfish 2.7 mi
Spearfish Academy at Canyon Hills High School - 10 Spearfish 2.7 mi
BLACK HILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spearfish 3.6 mi 6.7
Belle Fourche Middle School - 07 Belle Fourche 10.8 mi 4.4
South Park Elementary - 03 Belle Fourche 11.5 mi 5.2
Belle Fourche High School - 01 Belle Fourche 11.9 mi 4.8
Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 Belle Fourche 11.9 mi 5.2
Lead-Deadwood Middle School - 02 Lead 11.1 mi 7.8
Lead-Deadwood High School - 01 Lead 11.1 mi 7.8
Lead-Deadwood Elementary - 03 Deadwood 10.6 mi 6.4
North Park Elementary - 08 Belle Fourche 13.0 mi 6.8
Whitewood Elementary - 04 Whitewood 11.8 mi 9.0
Sturgis Elementary - 03 Sturgis 18.6 mi 7.2
Sturgis Williams Middle School - 02 Sturgis 18.6 mi 5.7
Sturgis Brown High School - 01 Sturgis 20.7 mi 5.0
Lead-Deadwood Career & Technical Education - 10 Nemo 25.1 mi 7.0

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
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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