Top Rankings
Lake Preston School District 38-3 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 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there is 1 public middle school serving 33 students in Lake Preston School District 38-3. This district's average middle testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in South Dakota.
Public Middle School in Lake Preston School District 38-3 have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 15% 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
3 Schools
295 Schools
# Students
188 Students
40,126 Students
# Teachers
22 Teachers
2,993 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
9:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Lake Preston School District 38-3, 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 80% has increased from 50% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#16 out of 148 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
65-69%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-69%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥80%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.19
0.59
% American Indian
3%
26%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
2%
7%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
90%
58%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,324 is higher than the state median of $13,146. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,457 is higher than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$4 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$3 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,324
$13,146
Spending / Student
$16,457
$12,647
Best Lake Preston School District 38-3 Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lake Preston Middle School - 03
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
300 1st St Ne
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4455
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4455
Gr: 6-8 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Recent Articles
School Choice in 2026: What Parents Must Know
Explore how school choice is reshaping U.S. education in 2026, with updated trends, enrollment data, costs, policies, and practical guidance for parents.
The Future of Teacher Tenure in 2026
Explore 2026 trends in teacher tenure, policy shifts, costs, salaries, and what parents should know for school planning and quality classroom instruction.
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.
