Top Rankings
West Central School District 49-7 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 2025-26 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 431 students in West Central School District 49-7. This district's average high testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in South Dakota.
Public High Schools in West Central School District 49-7 have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the South Dakota public high school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 63% statewide average).
Public High School in West Central School District 49-7 have a Graduation Rate of 95%, which is more than the South Dakota average of 82%.
The school with highest graduation rate is West Central High School - 01, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Dakota or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority American Indian and Black), which is less than the South Dakota public high school average of 35% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
6 Schools
217 Schools
# Students
1,409 Students
46,971 Students
# Teachers
93 Teachers
3,330 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
West Central School District 49-7, 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 90-94% has decreased from 95% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#62 out of 148 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)90-94%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.17
0.54
% American Indian
3%
19%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
2%
7%
% Black
1%
3%
% White
91%
65%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,644 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,146. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,803 is less than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$18 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$15 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,644
$13,146
Spending / Student
$10,803
$12,647
Best West Central School District 49-7 Public High Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Brighten Transition Youth Treatment Center - 07
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
46560 264th St
Hartford, SD 57033
(605) 528-3799
Hartford, SD 57033
(605) 528-3799
Gr: 8-12 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #22.
Falls Academy - 08
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
46560 264th St
Hartford, SD 57033
(605) 528-3799
Hartford, SD 57033
(605) 528-3799
Gr: 5-12 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #33.
West Central High School - 01
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
705 E 2nd St
Hartford, SD 57033
(605) 528-6236
Hartford, SD 57033
(605) 528-6236
Gr: 9-12 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Recent Articles

Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Latest data and policy changes on Texas public school enrollment growth, funding, and virtual education in 2025.

Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in Public Schools
Learn about financial aid and hidden costs in public schools. Discover what parents should budget for beyond tuition-free education.

NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
Despite reforms, New York City schools remain the most segregated in the U.S. in 2025. Here鈥檚 what parents and educators need to know.