Top Rankings
Leola School District 44-2 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 4 public middle schools serving 100 students in Leola School District 44-2. This district's average middle testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in South Dakota.
Public Middle Schools in Leola School District 44-2 have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 2% 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
7 Schools
297 Schools
# Students
210 Students
40,141 Students
# Teachers
22 Teachers
2,999 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
9:1
District Rank
Leola School District 44-2, which is ranked within the top 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 50% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#40 out of 148 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-39%
42%
Graduation Rate
≥50%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.09
0.59
# American Indian Students
n/a
10,455 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
26%
# Asian Students
n/a
519 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
1%
# Hispanic Students
3 Students
2,703 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
7%
# Black Students
n/a
1,024 Students
% Black Students
n/a
3%
# White Students
200 Students
23,358 Students
% White Students
95%
58%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
46 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
7 Students
2,036 Students
% of Two or more races Students
3%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
19
174
# Students in K Grade:
14
896
# Students in 1st Grade:
19
903
# Students in 2nd Grade:
15
918
# Students in 3rd Grade:
16
750
# Students in 4th Grade:
13
793
# Students in 5th Grade:
13
1,598
# Students in 6th Grade:
18
9,664
# Students in 7th Grade:
17
11,058
# Students in 8th Grade:
12
11,237
# Students in 9th Grade:
17
674
# Students in 10th Grade:
17
578
# Students in 11th Grade:
9
481
# Students in 12th Grade:
11
417
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $20,733 is higher than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has grown by 9% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,619 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has grown by 9% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$4 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$20,733
$13,121
Spending / Student
$17,619
$12,623
Best Leola School District 44-2 Public Middle Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Grassland Colony Elementary - 06
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
11865 370th Ave
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Grades: K-8
| 15 students
Rank: #22.
Leola Jr. High - 03
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
820 Leola Ave
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Grades: 6-8
| 27 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
36848 123rd St
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Grades: K-8
| 27 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Spring Creek Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
36562 102nd St
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Grades: K-8
| 31 students
Recent Articles
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
