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Average

#359 of 574 schools in SD

Willow Lake High School - 01

High School · Willow Lake School District 12-3

PO Box 170, Willow Lake, SD 57278

Enrollment

56

Student-Teacher

9.3:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Willow Lake

#2 of 4

public schools

South Dakota high schools

#108 of 156

In district

#2 of 4

Willow Lake School District 12-3

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Willow Lake High School - 01

Willow Lake High School - 01 is a small high school located in the remote rural area of Willow Lake, South Dakota. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 56 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1 with six full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Willow Lake High School reflects a community-focused approach rather than solely standardized test scores; it ranks 376th out of 586 schools in South Dakota, placing it around the 36th percentile, with an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 66% and a Math proficiency rate of 50%.

Despite its modest ranking, Willow Lake High School provides personalized attention to each student, fostering a close-knit environment where individual needs are met. The school's remote setting offers students unique opportunities for hands-on learning in agriculture, natural sciences, and outdoor education, aligning well with the rural character of Clark County. Willow Lake High School is situated in a quiet, rural community, offering students a peaceful atmosphere conducive to personal growth and development.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 56 students, Willow Lake High School - 01 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1, Willow Lake High School - 01 offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Willow Lake High School - 01 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,121

Willow Lake High School - 01 — Students at Willow Lake High School - 01 score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.5%
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
75%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
75%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Willow Lake High School - 01 Compares

See how Willow Lake High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in SD
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

PO Box 170, Willow Lake, SD 57278

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willow Lake High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. De Smet High School - 01 (rated 7.6/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby De Smet), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iroquois High School - 01 (rated 7.0/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Iroquois), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Henry High School - 01 (rated 6.0/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Henry), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Willow Lake, see our Willow Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake 0.0 mi 4.0
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 High School - 01 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
Andes Central High School - 01 Lake Andes, SD 5.8
Newell High School - 01 Newell, SD 5.8
Sully Buttes High School - 07 Onida, SD 5.7
Colome High School - 01 Colome, SD 6.0
Henry High School - 01 Henry, SD 6.0
Oelrichs High School - 01 Oelrichs, SD 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Willow Lake High School - 01

What grades does Willow Lake High School - 01 serve?

Willow Lake High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Willow Lake High School - 01?

Willow Lake High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 56 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow Lake High School - 01?

The student-teacher ratio at Willow Lake High School - 01 is 9.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Willow Lake High School - 01 rank in SD?

Willow Lake High School - 01 is ranked #359 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Willow Lake High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?

Willow Lake High School - 01 has a composite rating of 5.8 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 High School - 01?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willow Lake High School - 01 has 49.8% math proficiency and 66.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Willow Lake High School - 01 a charter school?

No, Willow Lake High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Willow Lake High School - 01 a Title I school?

No, Willow Lake High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willow Lake High School - 01?

17.9% of students at Willow Lake High School - 01 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
56
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Clark 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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