Top Rankings
Howard School District 48-3 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 328 students in Howard School District 48-3. This district's average testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Howard School District 48-3 have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 4% 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
4 Schools
734 Schools
# Students
328 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
26 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Howard School District 48-3, 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 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#17 out of 148 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
42%
Graduation Rate
≥80%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.07
0.53
% American Indian
1%
14%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
3%
8%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
96%
67%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,021 is higher than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,625 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$6 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$5 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,021
$13,121
Spending / Student
$15,625
$12,623
Best Howard School District 48-3 Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Howard High School - 01
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
500 N Section Line
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Grades: 9-12
| 98 students
Rank: #22.
Howard Jr. High - 05
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 N Section Line
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Grades: 6-8
| 70 students
Rank: #33.
Howard Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
201 N Minnie St
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-4443
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-4443
Grades: K-5
| 131 students
Rank: #44.
Shannon Colony Elementary - 08
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
43945 235th St.
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 772-4443
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 772-4443
Grades: K-8
| 29 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Howard School District 48-3?
Howard School District 48-3 manages 4 public schools serving 328 students.
What is the rank of Howard School District 48-3?
Howard School District 48-3 is ranked #15 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of South Dakota school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%) and Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
What is the racial composition of students in Howard School District 48-3?
96% of Howard School District 48-3 students are White, 3% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Howard School District 48-3?
Howard School District 48-3 has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Howard School District 48-3's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $15,625 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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