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
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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White River Elementary - 02 — Students at White River Elementary - 02 score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.1/10.
How White River Elementary - 02 Compares
See how White River Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
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
- Phone
- (605) 259-3137
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
White River School District 47-1- District Enrollment
- 416
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,516
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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