Top Rankings
Custer School District 16-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 906 students in Custer School District 16-1. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Custer School District 16-1 have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
6 Schools
734 Schools
# Students
906 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
75 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
District Rank
Custer School District 16-1, 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 75-79% has decreased from 90% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#89 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
42%
Graduation Rate
75-79%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.27
0.53
# American Indian Students
22 Students
20,873 Students
% American Indian Students
2%
14%
# Asian Students
4 Students
2,252 Students
% Asian Students
1%
2%
# Hispanic Students
66 Students
11,917 Students
% Hispanic Students
7%
8%
# Black Students
1 Student
4,730 Students
% Black Students
n/a
3%
# White Students
769 Students
97,780 Students
% White Students
85%
67%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
197 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
44 Students
8,292 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
-
3,175
# Students in K Grade:
84
11,936
# Students in 1st Grade:
63
10,796
# Students in 2nd Grade:
54
10,955
# Students in 3rd Grade:
67
10,445
# Students in 4th Grade:
58
10,671
# Students in 5th Grade:
66
10,790
# Students in 6th Grade:
76
10,961
# Students in 7th Grade:
76
11,058
# Students in 8th Grade:
81
11,237
# Students in 9th Grade:
80
12,230
# Students in 10th Grade:
56
11,381
# Students in 11th Grade:
77
10,546
# Students in 12th Grade:
68
9,860
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,472 is higher than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,682 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$14 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$20 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,472
$13,121
Spending / Student
$21,682
$12,623
Best Custer School District 16-1 Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Custer High School - 01
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1645 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Grades: 9-12
| 262 students
Rank: #22.
Custer Jr. High - 05
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1645 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Grades: 7-8
| 103 students
Rank: #33.
Custer Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1415 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4483
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4483
Grades: K-6
| 293 students
Rank: #44.
Hermosa Elementary - 04
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
11 4th St
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345
Grades: K-6
| 175 students
Rank: #55.
A.c.e. High Academy - 06
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
527 Montgomery St
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Grades: 9-12
| 19 students
Rank: n/an/a
11 4th St
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345
Grades: 7-8
| 54 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Custer School District 16-1?
Custer School District 16-1 manages 6 public schools serving 906 students.
What is the rank of Custer School District 16-1?
Custer School District 16-1 is ranked #86 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: Highest science proficiency (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Custer School District 16-1?
85% of Custer School District 16-1 students are White, 7% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Custer School District 16-1?
Custer School District 16-1 has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Custer School District 16-1's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $21,682 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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