For the 2026-27 school year, there are 5 public schools serving 582 students in Chester Area School District 39-1. This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Chester Area School District 39-1 have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 4% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
7 Schools
724 Schools
# Students
582 Students
146,776 Students
# Teachers
35 Teachers
10,614 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Chester Area School District 39-1, 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 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 15% has decreased from 30-34% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#65 out of 148 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
42%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
42%
Graduation Rate
15%
84%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)5.9%
22.5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.08
0.53
Showing 2014–2023. Full 30-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
14%
Showing 2010–2020. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
2%
9%
Showing 2004–2023. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
96%
66%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,589 in this school district is less 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 $11,404 is less than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$2,163 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$7 MM
$2,227 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$11,589
$14,736
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$11,404
$15,173
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Chester Area School District 39-1 Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Chester High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Gr: 9-12 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
Chester Middle School - 03
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Gr: 6-8 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Graceville Colony - 07
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
23843 - 446a Ave
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-2267
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-2267
Gr: K-8 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #44.
Chester Elementary -02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Gr: PK-5 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #55.
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
24243 456th Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Gr: K-8 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Chester Area School District 39-1?
Chester Area School District 39-1 manages 5 public schools serving 582 students.
What is the rank of Chester Area School District 39-1?
Chester Area School District 39-1 is ranked #61 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Chester Area School District 39-1?
96% of Chester Area School District 39-1 students are White, 2% of students are Hispanic, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Chester Area School District 39-1?
Chester Area School District 39-1 has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is equal to the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Chester Area School District 39-1's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $11,404 is less than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
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