Top Rankings
Bison School District 52-1 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 2026-27 school year, there is 1 public elementary school serving 65 students in Bison School District 52-1. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
Public Elementary School in Bison School District 52-1 have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
494 Schools
# Students
135 Students
101,278 Students
# Teachers
17 Teachers
7,454 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
8:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Bison School District 52-1, 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 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 50% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#82 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-59%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥50%
82%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)7.5%
22.5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.19
0.56
% American Indian
4%
16%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
5%
9%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
90%
64%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $20,637 is higher than the state median of $14,736. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,430 is higher than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$3 MM
$2,163 MM
Spending
$3 MM
$2,227 MM
Revenue / Student
$20,637
$14,736
Spending / Student
$19,430
$15,173
Best Bison School District 52-1 Public Elementary Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bison Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 E Carr St
Bison, SD 57620
(605) 244-5271
Bison, SD 57620
(605) 244-5271
Gr: K-6 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Recent Articles
How Often Does Your Child's School Change Teachers Between Grade Levels?
Learn how teacher movement between grade levels affects continuity, experience, instruction, and school stability, plus the questions parents should ask about staffing patterns before choosing a public school today.
The School Pickup Test: What Arrival and Dismissal Reveal About a Public School
Discover what school arrival and dismissal reveal about safety, supervision, organization, communication, student behavior, transportation, and school climate before choosing the right public school for your child and family.
Should Siblings Attend the Same Public School?
Should siblings attend the same public school? Learn when academic needs, learning styles, programs, social fit, support services, and individual interests may make different schools better choices for children.
