Top Rankings
Belle Fourche School District 09-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 5 public schools serving 1,296 students in Belle Fourche School District 09-1. This district's average testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Belle Fourche School District 09-1 have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
5 Schools
734 Schools
# Students
1,296 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
101 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Belle Fourche School District 09-1, 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 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 55% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#113 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
42%
Graduation Rate
55%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.29
0.53
% American Indian
2%
14%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
8%
8%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
84%
67%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,314 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,090 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$16 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$14 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,314
$13,121
Spending / Student
$11,090
$12,623
Best Belle Fourche School District 09-1 Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Belle Fourche High School - 01
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1301 12th Ave
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3350
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3350
Gr: 9-12 | 372 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
South Park Elementary - 03
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1816 Valley Dr
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3382
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3382
Gr: 1-4 | 396 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #33.
Belle Fourche Middle School - 07
(Math: 33% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1302 Ziebach St
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3367
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3367
Gr: 5-8 | 405 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1301 12th Ave
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-0955
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-0955
Gr: 9-12 | 35 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: n/an/a
29 N 6th Ave
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3379
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3379
Gr: K | 88 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Belle Fourche School District 09-1?
Belle Fourche School District 09-1 manages 5 public schools serving 1,296 students.
What is the rank of Belle Fourche School District 09-1?
Belle Fourche School District 09-1 is ranked #111 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (bottom 50%) 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: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Belle Fourche School District 09-1?
84% of Belle Fourche School District 09-1 students are White, 8% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Belle Fourche School District 09-1?
Belle Fourche School District 09-1 has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Belle Fourche School District 09-1's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $11,090 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.

Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.

What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.