South Central 26-5 School District

401 Birdsell St
Bonesteel, SD 57317
(District boundaries shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

South Central 26-5 School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public schools serving 58 students in South Central 26-5 School District. This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in South Central 26-5 School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
2 Schools
734 Schools
# Students
58 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
7 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
8:1

District Rank

South Central 26-5 School District, 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.
This School District
State Average (SD)
#77 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of South Central 26-5  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
40-59%
42%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of South Central 26-5  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of South Dakota by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
40-59%
51%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of South Central 26-5  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of South Dakota by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
≥50%
42%
(17-18)
≥50%
82%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of South Central 26-5  School District and public school graduation rate of South Dakota by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.51
0.53
# American Indian Students
24 Students
20,873 Students
% American Indian Students
41%
14%
# Asian Students
n/a
2,252 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
2%
# Hispanic Students
n/a
11,917 Students
% Hispanic Students
n/a
8%
# Black Students
n/a
4,730 Students
% Black Students
n/a
3%
# White Students
33 Students
97,780 Students
% White Students
57%
67%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
197 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
1 Student
8,292 Students
% of Two or more races Students
2%
6%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
10
3,175
# Students in K Grade:
13
11,936
# Students in 1st Grade:
8
10,796
# Students in 2nd Grade:
9
10,955
# Students in 3rd Grade:
5
10,445
# Students in 4th Grade:
6
10,671
# Students in 5th Grade:
7
10,790
# Students in 6th Grade:
-
10,961
# Students in 7th Grade:
-
11,058
# Students in 8th Grade:
-
11,237
# Students in 9th Grade:
-
12,230
# Students in 10th Grade:
-
11,381
# Students in 11th Grade:
-
10,546
# Students in 12th Grade:
-
9,860
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $27,017 is higher than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has grown by 27% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $29,328 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has grown by 67% over four school years.
This School District
This State (SD)
Total Revenue
$2 MM
$1,916 MM
This chart displays total revenue of South Central 26-5  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in South Dakota by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$2 MM
$1,844 MM
This chart displays total spending of South Central 26-5  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in South Dakota by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student (18-19)
$27,017
$13,121
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in South Central 26-5  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in South Dakota by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
Spending / Student (18-19)
$29,328
$12,623
This chart displays average spending per public school student in South Central 26-5  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in South Dakota by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.

Best South Central 26-5 School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
South Central Elementary - 03
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
401 Birdsell St
Bonesteel, SD 57317
(605) 654-2314
Grades: PK-5
| 58 students
Rank: n/an/a
900 Washington St
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2645
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to South Central 26-5 School District?
South Central 26-5 School District manages 2 public schools serving 58 students.
What is the rank of South Central 26-5 School District?
South Central 26-5 School District is ranked #70 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 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: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in South Central 26-5 School District?
57% of South Central 26-5 School District students are White, 41% of students are American Indian, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of South Central 26-5 School District?
South Central 26-5 School District has a student/teacher ratio of 8:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is South Central 26-5 School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $29,328 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has grown by 67% over four school years.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 2 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 58 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 8:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 43%
  • : ≥50% (Top 1% in SD)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 40-59% (Top 50%)
  • : 40-59% (Btm 50%)
  • : ≥50% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education

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