Top Rankings
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 207 students in Northwestern Area School District 56-7. 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 Northwestern Area School District 56-7 have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
6 Schools
497 Schools
# Students
359 Students
101,009 Students
# Teachers
25 Teachers
7,507 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Northwestern Area School District 56-7, which is ranked within the top 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 50-59% has increased from 50% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#42 out of 148 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)50-59%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.13
0.55
% American Indian
1%
17%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
2%
8%
% Black
1%
3%
% White
93%
64%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,515 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has declined by 10% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,000 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has declined by 10% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$4 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,515
$13,121
Spending / Student
$10,000
$12,623
Best Northwestern Area School District 56-7 Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Northwestern Middle School - 02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Gr: 6-8 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Northwestern Elementary - 04
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Gr: PK-5 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: n/an/a
14625 401st Ave
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 396-7497
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 396-7497
Gr: K-8 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: n/an/a
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Gr: 6-8 | 7 students
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