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Average

#401 of 574 schools in SD

White River Elementary - 02

Elementary School · White River School District 47-1

PO Box 273, White River, SD 57579

Enrollment

164

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In White River

#4 of 4

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#194 of 271

In district

#4 of 4

White River School District 47-1

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About White River Elementary - 02

White River Elementary - 02 is a small, rural elementary school serving Pre-K through fifth grade students in the community of White River, South Dakota. With an enrollment of just 164 students, the school offers a personalized learning environment with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.9:1, ensuring that each child receives individualized attention and support. The dedicated faculty consists of 15 full-time equivalent teachers who strive to meet the unique needs of their students.

While White River Elementary's academic performance currently places it in the lower percentile of South Dakota schools (452 out of 586), the school is committed to fostering student development and growth, focusing on areas like ELA/Reading and Math where proficiency rates are below average at 18% and 15%, respectively. The school's remote location means students benefit from a tight-knit community atmosphere where everyone knows each other. White River Elementary - 02 is nestled in the heart of a rural setting, offering a close-knit environment that values personal connections and support among families and educators.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 164 students, White River 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, White River 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 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,446

White River Elementary - 02 — Students at White River Elementary - 02 score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 14.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 18.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
22%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How White River Elementary - 02 Compares

See how White River Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in SD
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

PO Box 273, White River, SD 57579

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering White River Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SAPA UN CATHOLIC ACADEMY ELEMENTARY (rated 8.1/10, 30.7 miles away, in nearby Saint Francis), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jones County Elementary - 02 (rated 8.0/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Murdo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Todd County Elementary - 16 (rated 6.7/10, 19.4 miles away, in nearby Mission), which scores notably higher. For more schools in White River, see our White River schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 34.2 mi
School Distance Rating
White River Middle School - 04 White River 0.0 mi 5.9
White River High School - 01 White River 0.1 mi 7.2
Todd County Achievement Middle School - 18 Mission 19.0 mi
Todd County High School - 01 Mission 19.0 mi 5.9
Resource Center - 11 Mission 19.0 mi
Todd County Achievement High School - 17 Mission 19.0 mi 6.2
Todd County Middle School - 10 Mission 19.2 mi 5.5
Todd County Elementary - 16 Mission 19.4 mi 6.7
Jones County High School - 01 Murdo 22.2 mi 8.9
Jones County Middle School - 04 Murdo 22.2 mi 8.9
Jones County Elementary - 02 Murdo 22.2 mi 8.0
Rosebud Elementary - 04 Rosebud 23.8 mi 4.7
O'Kreek Elementary - 14 O'Kreek 22.9 mi
He Dog Elementary - 05 Parmelee 24.5 mi 5.2
St. Francis Indian School St. Francis 30.6 mi
SAPA UN CATHOLIC ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Saint Francis 30.7 mi 8.1
Norris Elementary - 08 White River 24.0 mi 6.6
Klein Elementary - 08 Mission 29.9 mi
Lakeview Elementary - 09 Crookston 34.0 mi 4.5
Spring Creek Elementary - 07 St. Francis 34.2 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57579 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,913

Median Home Value

$58,800

Median Rent

$818/mo

Population

1,473

College Educated

16.7%

Homeownership

66%

Poverty Rate

41.7%

Median Age

36.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding White River Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $53,913. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $58,800, with a median rent of $818/month. The area has a poverty rate of 41.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Highmore Elementary - 02 Highmore, SD 5.5
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 De Smet, SD 5.5
Canistota Elementary - 02 Canistota, SD 5.6
Castlewood Elementary - 02 Castlewood, SD 5.4
ST MARTINS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown, SD 5.4
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City, SD 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about White River Elementary - 02

What grades does White River Elementary - 02 serve?

White River Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend White River Elementary - 02?

White River Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 164 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at White River Elementary - 02?

The student-teacher ratio at White River Elementary - 02 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 White River Elementary - 02 rank in SD?

White River Elementary - 02 is ranked #401 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is White River Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?

White River Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 5.5 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 White River Elementary - 02?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, White River Elementary - 02 has 14.7% math proficiency and 18.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is White River Elementary - 02 a charter school?

No, White River Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is White River Elementary - 02 a Title I school?

No, White River Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for White River Elementary - 02?

100.0% of students at White River 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Mellette County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

White River School District 47-1
District Enrollment
416
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,516
District Rank
#4 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.

Read our full methodology

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