Serving 426 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Lowell Elementary - 28 ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in South Dakota for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 35-39% (which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 42%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 35-39% (which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 51%).
The student-teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the South Dakota state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the South Dakota state average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 426 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 73%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in SD
- Math Proficiency: 35-39% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 35-39% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Lowell Elementary serves the southern part of Sioux Falls, SD, covering an area of approximately 0.8 square miles. Families in this zone can typically expect a drive of 5 to 10 minutes to reach the school, with the furthest edge being about 1.2 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education
School Overview
Lowell Elementary - 28's student population of 426 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 30 teachers has declined by 11% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
426 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
30 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
School Calendar
School Rankings
Lowell Elementary - 28 ranks within the bottom 50% of all 619 schools in South Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Lowell Elementary - 28 is 0.78, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.53. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#480 out of 619 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
42%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
42%
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
12:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
13%
14%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
3%
2%
Showing 2014–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
33%
9%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
Black
13%
3%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
White
27%
66%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
10%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)29.3%
22.5%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
73%
34%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
15%
7%
Showing 2009–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lowell Elementary - 28's ranking?
Lowell Elementary - 28 is ranked #480 out of 619 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
What schools are Lowell Elementary - 28 often compared to?
Lowell Elementary - 28is often viewed alongside schools like Cleveland Elementary - 14 by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
35-39% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 42% SD state average), while 35-39% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 51% SD state average).
How many students attend Lowell Elementary - 28?
426 students attend Lowell Elementary - 28.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
33% of Lowell Elementary - 28 students are Hispanic, 27% of students are White, 13% of students are American Indian, 13% of students are Black, 10% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Lowell Elementary - 28?
Lowell Elementary - 28 has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the South Dakota state average of 12:1.
What grades does Lowell Elementary - 28 offer ?
Lowell Elementary - 28 offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Lowell Elementary - 28 part of?
Lowell Elementary - 28 is part of Sioux Falls School District 49-5.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
Lowell has an active Cub Scout program. It is open to all boys, first through fifth grades. Cub Scouts meet on the first, third and fourth Thursdays of each month during the school year. Meetings are held at 6:30 pm in the Cafeteria. Hope to see you there!
5 10/10/2025
My oldest is now seven and has been in the amazing care of Lowell staff for three years now - pre-K through now at the end of 1st grade. When my family moved here from out of state, my husband''s coworkers all recommended schools - all recommendations were private schools in the ($$$$$) O''Gorman system. I was shocked that none of the public schools got kudos from the local community when we asked around. After one full year of watching our bubbly, kind, outgoing child shrink into a shell of himself at St Michael''s, I knew we needed a big change. Lowell was it- and by golly, within weeks of the next school year, our sweet little love''s fire was back in his eyes - and it still makes me cry with gratitude when I remember how much they''ve helped him grow. The way the Lowell family works to support students as a whole is simply beyond words. I am thrilled and thankful that our 2nd little love will be starting kindergarten there in the fall, finally getting to be a Bulldog like his big brother.
Review Lowell Elementary - 28. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Does Your Public School Have Enough Nurses?
Learn whether your public school has enough nurses, how staffing affects student safety, chronic illness management, emergency care, and what parents should ask about available school health services today.
When Your Child Falls Behind Without Special Education
Learn what happens when your child falls behind academically but doesn't qualify for special education, including available school interventions, parent rights, tutoring options, and practical strategies for securing support.
When Your Child Finishes Classwork Faster Than Others
Discover why some children finish classwork faster than classmates, how teachers manage early finishers, and what parents can do to ensure meaningful learning, appropriate challenges, and continued academic growth.
