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 10%)
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 3 public elementary schools serving 230 students in Howard School District 48-3. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
Public Elementary Schools in Howard School District 48-3 have an average math proficiency score of 61% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 4% 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
4 Schools
497 Schools
# Students
328 Students
101,009 Students
# Teachers
26 Teachers
7,507 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Howard School District 48-3, which is ranked within the top 10% 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 80% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#13 out of 148 school districts
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥80%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.07
0.55
% American Indian
1%
17%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
3%
8%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
96%
64%
% 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 Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Howard Jr. High - 05
(Math: 60-64% | 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: #22.
Howard Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | 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: #33.
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
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.
