Below Average
#546 of 574 schools in SD
Willow Lake Elementary - 02
Elementary School · Willow Lake School District 12-3
PO Box 170, Willow Lake, SD 57278
Enrollment
150
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
150
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Willow Lake
#4 of 4
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#260 of 271
In district
#4 of 4
Willow Lake School District 12-3
About Willow Lake Elementary - 02
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 is a small, rural elementary school nestled in the picturesque town of Willow Lake, South Dakota. Serving students from pre-K through fifth grade, this regular public school fosters a close-knit community with an enrollment of just 150 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes ten full-time equivalent educators who work tirelessly to support each child's educational journey.
While Willow Lake Elementary currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10, with room for academic growth in both ELA/Reading and Math proficiency rates at 48% and 41%, respectively, the school focuses on holistic student development. The setting is remote yet peaceful, surrounded by the natural beauty of rural South Dakota. Willow Lake Elementary provides a nurturing environment where students can thrive amidst their small-town charm.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 150 students, Willow Lake 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, Willow Lake 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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Willow Lake Elementary - 02 — Students at Willow Lake Elementary - 02 score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42%
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: 3.0/10.
How Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Willow Lake Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 170, Willow Lake, SD 57278
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Willow Lake Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clark Elementary - 02 (rated 8.0/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Clark), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 (rated 5.6/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Garden City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 (rated 5.5/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby De Smet), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Willow Lake, see our Willow Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Willow Lake | 0.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake | 5.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake | 6.4 mi | — |
| Silver Lake Colony - 07 Clark | 16.5 mi | — |
| De Smet High School - 01 De Smet | 17.3 mi | 7.6 |
| De Smet Middle School - 03 De Smet | 17.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 De Smet | 17.4 mi | 5.5 |
| SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois | 15.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Clark Elementary - 02 Clark | 18.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Clark High School - 01 Clark | 18.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Clark Middle School - 03 Clark | 18.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Carpenter | 16.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Henry Elementary - 02 Henry | 19.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Henry High School - 01 Henry | 19.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Henry Middle School - 03 Henry | 19.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 Garden City | 21.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05 Willow Lake | 15.7 mi | — |
| Iroquois High School - 01 Iroquois | 21.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Iroquois Middle School - 02 Iroquois | 21.0 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57278 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,938
Median Home Value
$202,700
Median Rent
$745/mo
Population
1,082
College Educated
21.7%
Homeownership
78.7%
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
22.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Willow Lake Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $65,938. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,700, with a median rent of $745/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Elementary School Stephan, SD | 4.0 |
| Henry Elementary - 02 Henry, SD | 4.0 |
| Enemy Swim Day School Waubay, SD | 3.7 |
| Summit Elementary - 02 Summit, SD | 3.6 |
| McCook Central Elementary - 02 Salem, SD | 4.4 |
| Roosevelt Elementary - 08 Watertown, SD | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Willow Lake Elementary - 02
What grades does Willow Lake Elementary - 02 serve?
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Willow Lake Elementary - 02?
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 150 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow Lake Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Willow Lake Elementary - 02 is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Willow Lake Elementary - 02 rank in SD?
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 is ranked #546 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Willow Lake Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Willow Lake Elementary - 02?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willow Lake Elementary - 02 has 41.2% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Willow Lake Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, Willow Lake Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Willow Lake Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, Willow Lake Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willow Lake Elementary - 02?
42.0% of students at Willow Lake 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
- 150
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Clark County
- Phone
- (605) 625-5945
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Willow Lake School District 12-3- District Enrollment
- 338
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,529
- 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.
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