Top Rankings
Dakota Valley School District 61-8 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 1,341 students in Dakota Valley School District 61-8. This district's average testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Dakota Valley School District 61-8 have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 64% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
4 Schools
727 Schools
# Students
1,341 Students
146,864 Students
# Teachers
89 Teachers
10,621 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Dakota Valley School District 61-8, which is ranked within the top 20% 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 95% has increased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#30 out of 148 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥95%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.42
0.53
% American Indian
2%
14%
% Asian
3%
2%
% Hispanic
11%
9%
% Black
2%
3%
% White
75%
66%
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,558 is higher than the state median of $13,047. The school district revenue/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,101 is less than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$18 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$15 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,558
$13,047
Spending / Student
$11,101
$12,552
Best Dakota Valley School District 61-8 Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dakota Valley Elementary - 02
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
80 Northshore Dr
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3840
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3840
Gr: K-3 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #22.
Dakota Valley High School - 01
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1150 Northshore Dr
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3820
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3820
Gr: 9-12 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #33.
Dakota Valley Middle School - 03
(Math: 47% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1150 Northshore Dr
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3830
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3830
Gr: 6-8 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #44.
Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04
(Math: 48% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1150 Northshore Dr
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3830
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3830
Gr: 4-5 | 179 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Dakota Valley School District 61-8?
Dakota Valley School District 61-8 manages 4 public schools serving 1,341 students.
What is the rank of Dakota Valley School District 61-8?
Dakota Valley School District 61-8 is ranked #23 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of South Dakota school districts for: Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Dakota Valley School District 61-8?
75% of Dakota Valley School District 61-8 students are White, 11% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Asian, 2% of students are American Indian, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Dakota Valley School District 61-8?
Dakota Valley School District 61-8 has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is higher than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Dakota Valley School District 61-8's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $11,101 is less than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
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