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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,378

Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 — Students at Wolsey Wessington Elementary - 02 score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.5%
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
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
32%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.7/10
36th percentile in SD
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Wolsey Wessington Middle School - 03 Wolsey 0.0 mi 5.9
Wolsey Wessington High School - 01 Wolsey 0.0 mi 7.0
Hitchcock-Tulare Elementary - 05 Hitchcock 15.9 mi 8.9
Buchanan K-1 Center - 18 Huron 11.9 mi 5.6
Huron Middle School - 02 Huron 12.4 mi 5.2
Huron High School - 01 Huron 12.7 mi 5.9
Washington 4-5 Center - 20 Huron 12.9 mi 5.5
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Huron 13.0 mi 5.5
JAMES VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Huron 12.8 mi 6.8
Madison 2-3 Center - 19 Huron 13.6 mi 4.1
Huron Colony Elementary - 13 Huron 17.0 mi
Our Home ASAP - 12 Huron 16.7 mi
Our Home Rediscovery - 77 Huron 16.7 mi
Hitchcock-Tulare High School - 01 Tulare 23.0 mi 7.3
Hitchcock-Tulare Jr. High School - 02 Tulare 23.0 mi
Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 Wessington Springs 22.8 mi 6.9
Wessington Springs Elementary Cyber School - 94 Wessington Springs 22.8 mi
Wessington Springs Jr. High - 04 Wessington Springs 23.0 mi 8.3
Wessington Springs High School - 01 Wessington Springs 23.0 mi 7.3
Wessington Springs Middle School Cyber School - 93 Wessington Springs 23.0 mi

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wolsey Wessington School District 02-6
District Enrollment
318
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,744
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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