Top Rankings
Smee School District 15-3 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 183 students in Smee School District 15-3. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Smee School District 15-3 have an average math proficiency score of 12% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 100% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
734 Schools
# Students
183 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
21 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
9:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Smee School District 15-3, which is ranked within the bottom 50% 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 40-59% has decreased from 50% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#138 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)10-14%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)40-59%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.09
0.53
% American Indian
96%
14%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
1%
8%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
n/a
67%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $27,027 is higher than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $25,344 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$5 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$5 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$27,027
$13,121
Spending / Student
$25,344
$12,623
Best Smee School District 15-3 Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Wakpala High School - 01
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
12250 Sd Hwy 1806
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Grades: 9-12
| 64 students
Rank: #22.
Wakpala Elementary - 02
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
12250 Sd Hwy 1806
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Grades: K-5
| 84 students
Rank: #33.
Wakpala Middle School - 04
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
12250 Sd Hwy 1806
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Grades: 6-8
| 35 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Smee School District 15-3?
Smee School District 15-3 manages 3 public schools serving 183 students.
What is the rank of Smee School District 15-3?
Smee School District 15-3 is ranked #132 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (bottom 50%) 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: Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Smee School District 15-3?
96% of Smee School District 15-3 students are American Indian, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Smee School District 15-3?
Smee School District 15-3 has a student/teacher ratio of 9:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Smee School District 15-3's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $25,344 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
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.
