Top Rankings
South Central School District 26-5 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 52 students in South Central School District 26-5. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
Public Elementary Schools in South Central School District 26-5 have an average math proficiency score of 70% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
2 Schools
497 Schools
# Students
52 Students
101,366 Students
# Teachers
7 Teachers
7,461 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
South Central School District 26-5, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 146 school districts in South Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of PS% has increased from 50% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#48 out of 148 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
70%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-59%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥50%
42%
Graduation Rate
(17-18)≥50%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.49
0.56
% American Indian
37%
16%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
n/a
9%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
61%
64%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $30,135 is higher than the state median of $13,047. The school district revenue/student has grown by 100% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $32,712 is higher than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has grown by 52% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$2 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$2 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student (18-19)
$30,135
$13,047
Spending / Student (18-19)
$32,712
$12,552
Best South Central School District 26-5 Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
South Central Elementary - 03
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
401 Birdsell St
Bonesteel, SD 57317
(605) 654-2314
Bonesteel, SD 57317
(605) 654-2314
Gr: PK-5 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: n/an/a
900 Washington St
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2645
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2645
Gr: 6-12
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