Top Rankings
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 359 students in Northwestern Area School District 56-7. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Northwestern Area School District 56-7 have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), 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
359 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
25 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
District Rank
Northwestern Area School District 56-7, 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 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 50-59% has increased from 50% 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)
50-54%
42%
Graduation Rate
50-59%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.13
0.53
# American Indian Students
5 Students
20,873 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
14%
# Asian Students
n/a
2,252 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
2%
# Hispanic Students
6 Students
11,917 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
8%
# Black Students
4 Students
4,730 Students
% Black Students
1%
3%
# White Students
335 Students
97,780 Students
% White Students
93%
67%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
197 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
9 Students
8,292 Students
% of Two or more races Students
3%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
13
3,175
# Students in K Grade:
28
11,936
# Students in 1st Grade:
26
10,796
# Students in 2nd Grade:
12
10,955
# Students in 3rd Grade:
25
10,445
# Students in 4th Grade:
14
10,671
# Students in 5th Grade:
15
10,790
# Students in 6th Grade:
28
10,961
# Students in 7th Grade:
20
11,058
# Students in 8th Grade:
26
11,237
# Students in 9th Grade:
29
12,230
# Students in 10th Grade:
36
11,381
# Students in 11th Grade:
41
10,546
# Students in 12th Grade:
46
9,860
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,515 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has declined by 10% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,000 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has declined by 10% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$4 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,515
$13,121
Spending / Student
$10,000
$12,623
Best Northwestern Area School District 56-7 Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Northwestern High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Grades: 9-12
| 88 students
Rank: #22.
Northwestern Middle School - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Grades: 6-8
| 59 students
Rank: #33.
Isucceed - 92
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Grades: 9-12
| 64 students
Rank: #44.
Northwestern Elementary - 04
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Grades: PK-5
| 124 students
Rank: n/an/a
14625 401st Ave
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 396-7497
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 396-7497
Grades: K-8
| 17 students
Rank: n/an/a
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Grades: 6-8
| 7 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Northwestern Area School District 56-7?
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 manages 6 public schools serving 359 students.
What is the rank of Northwestern Area School District 56-7?
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 is ranked #43 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 30%) 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%)
What is the racial composition of students in Northwestern Area School District 56-7?
93% of Northwestern Area School District 56-7 students are White, 3% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Northwestern Area School District 56-7?
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is equal to the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Northwestern Area School District 56-7's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $10,000 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has declined by 10% over four school years.
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