Top Rankings
Jones County School District 37-3 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there is 1 public middle school serving 51 students in Jones County School District 37-3. This district's average middle testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public middle schools in South Dakota.
Public Middle School in Jones County School District 37-3 have an average math proficiency score of 75% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public middle school average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
295 Schools
# Students
183 Students
40,126 Students
# Teachers
18 Teachers
2,993 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
10:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Jones County School District 37-3, which is ranked within the top 20% 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% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#26 out of 148 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-59%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥50%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.34
0.59
% American Indian
5%
26%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
2%
7%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
80%
58%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
13%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,945 is higher than the state median of $13,146. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,989 is higher than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has declined by 31% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$3 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$3 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,945
$13,146
Spending / Student
$14,989
$12,647
Best Jones County School District 37-3 Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Jones County Middle School - 04
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
404 Jackson Ave
Murdo, SD 57559
(605) 669-2258
Murdo, SD 57559
(605) 669-2258
Gr: 5-8 | 51 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Recent Articles
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.
