Average
#370 of 574 schools in SD
Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02
Elementary School · Wolsey Wessington School District 02-6
375 Ash St SE, Wolsey, SD 57384
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wolsey
#3 of 3
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#176 of 271
In district
#3 of 3
Wolsey Wessington School District 02-6
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02
Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 is a small, rural elementary school located in Wolsey, South Dakota. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 140 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, the school offers individualized attention to help students thrive.
Wolsey Wessington Elementary currently holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.0 out of 10, ranking it in the 21st percentile among South Dakota schools. The academic performance data shows that 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 41% are proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development, they also highlight opportunities for growth.
The school's remote rural setting offers a close-knit community feel, with teachers who know each child well. Despite its small size, Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 provides a supportive environment that nurtures young learners in a tight-knit neighborhood atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 140 students, Wolsey Wessington 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.
While current test scores at Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Wolsey Wessington 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 — Students at Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.1%
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: 6.0/10.
How Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
375 Ash St SE, Wolsey, SD 57384
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hitchcock-Tulare Elementary - 05 (rated 8.9/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Hitchcock), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 (rated 6.9/10, 22.8 miles away, in nearby Wessington Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Buchanan K-1 Center - 18 (rated 5.6/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Huron), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Wolsey, see our Wolsey schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57384 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,670
Median Home Value
$162,000
Median Rent
$702/mo
Population
1,062
College Educated
18.9%
Homeownership
79.2%
Avg Commute
18.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Median Age
37.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $62,670. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,000, with a median rent of $702/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Elementary - 02 Buffalo, SD | 5.7 |
| Wounded Knee District School Manderson, SD | 5.7 |
| Canistota Elementary - 02 Canistota, SD | 5.6 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City, SD | 5.6 |
| Andes Central Elementary - 02 Lake Andes, SD | 5.9 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City, SD | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02
What grades does Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 serve?
Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02?
Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 140 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 rank in SD?
Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 is ranked #370 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 has 41.2% math proficiency and 34.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02?
27.1% of students at Wolsey Wessington 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (62/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 140
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Beadle County
- Phone
- (605) 883-4221
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wolsey Wessington School District 02-6- District Enrollment
- 318
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,744
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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