Top Rankings
Kadoka Area School District 35-2 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public elementary schools serving 233 students in Kadoka Area School District 35-2. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
Public Elementary Schools in Kadoka Area School District 35-2 have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
6 Schools
495 Schools
# Students
303 Students
100,764 Students
# Teachers
35 Teachers
7,485 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
9:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Kadoka Area School District 35-2, which is ranked within the top 30% 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 60-79% has decreased from 80% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#31 out of 148 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
56%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)60-79%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.53
0.55
% American Indian
44%
17%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
1%
8%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
53%
64%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $21,472 is higher than the state median of $13,146. The school district revenue/student has grown by 30% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $18,545 is higher than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has grown by 23% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$6 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$21,472
$13,146
Spending / Student
$18,545
$12,647
Best Kadoka Area School District 35-2 Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Kadoka Middle School - 03
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
800 Bayberry St
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2174
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2174
Gr: 6-8 | 55 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #22.
Kadoka Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
800 Bayberry St
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2173
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2173
Gr: PK-5 | 126 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #33.
Midland Elementary - 11
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
104 Main St
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2171
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2171
Gr: K-8 | 5 students
Rank: #44.
Interior Elementary - 09
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
301 A St
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2173
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2173
Gr: K-8 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #55.
Longvalley Elementary - 10
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
26840 Sd Hwy 73
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2173
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2173
Gr: K-8 | 26 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Recent Articles
Multilingual Learner Growth Models & Accountability
Learn how multilingual learner growth models are reshaping school accountability systems and what it means for public schools in 2026.
School-Based Health Clinics: Funding, Billing, and Student Access
Learn how school-based health clinics are funded, how billing works, and how students access care in public schools.
Outdoor Learning in Urban Schools: Forest School Programs
Explore how urban districts adopt outdoor learning and forest school programs to boost student engagement, well-being, and academic success.
