Very Good

#108 of 574 schools in SD

Top 19% in state

Willow Lake High School - 01

High School · Willow Lake School District 12-3

PO Box 170, Willow Lake, SD 57278

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

9.3:1

Score

7.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

9.3:1

Score

7.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#108 of 574

In Willow Lake

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Willow Lake School District 12-3

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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High School in Willow Lake · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Willow Lake High School - 01

Willow Lake High School - 01 is a public high school in Willow Lake, SD, part of Willow Lake School District 12-3. Willow Lake High School - 01 serves approximately 56 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 9.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Willow Lake High School - 01 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #108 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Willow Lake High School - 01 show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts above SD schools

7.9

This school 7.9 · Very Good
SD avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

At 56 students, Willow Lake High School - 01 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 9.3:1 students to teachers, Willow Lake High School - 01 sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Willow Lake High School - 01 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics

Student Progress8.4Excellent25%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-1.35 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics6.7Average25%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency75% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected-1.1 pts

Adjusted Percentile52th

College Readiness8.5Excellent30%

Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.

View breakdown

4-Year Graduation Rate80%+

IB ProgramNo

Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio9.3:1

Per-Pupil Spending$11,529

Chronic Absenteeism14.3%

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 55.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 57.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009

Math

90%

ELA

69.5%

2010

Math

75%

ELA

75%

2011

Math

69.5%

ELA

49.5%

2012

Math

75%

ELA

75%

2014

Math

10%

ELA

30%

2015

Math

24.5%

ELA

75%

2016

Math

24.5%

ELA

24.5%

2017

Math

75%

ELA

24.5%

2018

Math

75%

ELA

75%

2019

Math

75%

ELA

75%

2020*

Math

49.5%

ELA

49.5%

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: 8.4/10.

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

7.9/10

81th percentile in SD

Academic

6.7/10

Average

Growth

8.4/10

Excellent

Environment

8.1/10

Excellent

Sports

1 boys' · 2 girls'

Advanced STEM

3/5

Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

18%

Teaching Staff

9:1 student-teacher ratio

6 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

14.3%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics3sports offered

1 boys'·2 girls'·3 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22

Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered

Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.7/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby De Smet), with a very similar rating. Another option is Clark High School - 01 (rated 6.5/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Clark), a more accessible option. Additionally, Henry High School - 01 (rated 6.1/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Henry), a more accessible option. For more schools in Willow Lake, see our Willow Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.0 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake	0.0 mi	150	6.4
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Willow Lake	0.0 mi	63	6.4
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake	5.5 mi	32	6.9
Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake	6.4 mi	16	—
Silver Lake Colony - 07 Clark	16.5 mi	20	—
De Smet High School - 01 De Smet	17.3 mi	90	7.7
De Smet Middle School - 03 De Smet	17.3 mi	86	4.5
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 De Smet	17.4 mi	178	6.9
SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois	15.0 mi	33	5.4
Clark Elementary - 02 Clark	18.0 mi	213	5.7
Clark High School - 01 Clark	18.1 mi	102	6.5
Clark Middle School - 03 Clark	18.1 mi	87	3.5
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Carpenter	16.4 mi	42	2.3
Henry Elementary - 02 Henry	19.5 mi	93	4.5
Henry High School - 01 Henry	19.5 mi	54	6.1
Henry Middle School - 03 Henry	19.5 mi	53	4.1
Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 Garden City	21.9 mi	32	3.0
Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05 Willow Lake	15.7 mi	21	—
Iroquois High School - 01 Iroquois	21.0 mi	49	5.9
Iroquois Middle School - 02 Iroquois	21.0 mi	44	4.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Herreid High School - 01 Herreid, SD	42	7.9
Sully Buttes High School - 07 Onida, SD	72	8.0
Bison High School - 01 Bison, SD	46	8.1
Armour High School - 01 Armour, SD	52	7.7
Eureka High School - 01 Eureka, SD	39	7.7
Gettysburg High School - 01 Gettysburg, SD	73	7.7

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 ranks #108 of 574 schools in SD.

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

Willow Lake High School - 01 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Willow Lake High School - 01?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Willow Lake High School - 01 has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.