Top Rankings
Mclaughlin School District 15-2 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 288 students in Mclaughlin School District 15-2. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
Public Elementary Schools in Mclaughlin School District 15-2 have an average math proficiency score of 5% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 7% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 99% 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
3 Schools
497 Schools
# Students
443 Students
101,366 Students
# Teachers
48 Teachers
7,461 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
9:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Mclaughlin School District 15-2, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 146 school districts in South Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 65% has increased from 50-59% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#147 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)≤5%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
10-14%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
42%
Graduation Rate
65%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.07
0.56
% American Indian
96%
16%
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
n/a
9%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
1%
64%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $26,440 is higher than the state median of $13,047. The school district revenue/student has grown by 18% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $23,323 is higher than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$12 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$10 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$26,440
$13,047
Spending / Student
$23,323
$12,552
Best Mclaughlin School District 15-2 Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Mclaughlin Elementary - 02
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
601 Main
Mc Laughlin, SD 57642
(605) 823-4484
Mc Laughlin, SD 57642
(605) 823-4484
Gr: PK-5 | 203 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Mclaughlin Middle School - 03
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
701 Main
Mc Laughlin, SD 57642
(605) 823-4484
Mc Laughlin, SD 57642
(605) 823-4484
Gr: 6-8 | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
