Top Rankings
Meade School District 46-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 7 public middle schools serving 1,000 students in Meade School District 46-1. This district's average middle testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in South Dakota.
Public Middle Schools in Meade School District 46-1 have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public middle school average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
11 Schools
295 Schools
# Students
3,035 Students
40,126 Students
# Teachers
215 Teachers
2,993 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Meade School District 46-1, 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 87% has increased from 80-84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#57 out of 148 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
42%
Graduation Rate
87%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.25
0.59
% American Indian
3%
26%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
5%
7%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
87%
58%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,497 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 $10,123 is less than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$35 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$31 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,497
$13,146
Spending / Student
$10,123
$12,647
Best Meade School District 46-1 Public Middle Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Elm Springs Elementary - 13
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
21309 Elm Springs Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #22.
Opal Elementary - 15
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
18010 Opal Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #33.
Atall Elementary - 17
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
16375 Atall Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Rank: #44.
Hereford Elementary - 08
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15998 Cross S Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Rank: #55.
Sturgis Williams Middle School - 02
(Math: 41% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1425 Cedar St
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-5232
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-5232
Gr: 5-8 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #66.
Stagebarn Middle School - 10
(Math: 44% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
12500 Sturgis Rd
Piedmont, SD 57769
(605) 787-4172
Piedmont, SD 57769
(605) 787-4172
Gr: 5-8 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #77.
Central Meade County School - 09
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
19625 Ball Field Road
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Recent Articles
Charter Schools vs Public Schools 2025: Key Differences & Trends
Explore updated 2025 insights comparing charter schools vs public schools, enrollment, academic outcomes, funding, and real-world examples for families and educators.
Are Public Schools Ready for the 21st Century? 2025 Update
Explore 2025 insights on whether public schools are ready for the 21st century, covering performance, technology, equity, funding, and future-ready learning.
Public School Open House & Enrollment Season Guide
A parent-focused guide to the public school open house and enrollment season, with expert questions, timelines, and decision tips.
