Top Rankings
Custer School District 16-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 906 students in Custer School District 16-1. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Custer School District 16-1 have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), 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
906 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
75 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Custer School District 16-1, 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 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 75-79% has decreased from 90% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#89 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
42%
Graduation Rate
75-79%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.27
0.53
% American Indian
2%
14%
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
7%
8%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
85%
67%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,472 is higher than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,682 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$14 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$20 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,472
$13,121
Spending / Student
$21,682
$12,623
Best Custer School District 16-1 Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Custer High School - 01
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1645 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Grades: 9-12
| 262 students
Rank: #22.
Custer Jr. High - 05
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1645 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Grades: 7-8
| 103 students
Rank: #33.
Custer Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1415 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4483
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4483
Grades: K-6
| 293 students
Rank: #44.
Hermosa Elementary - 04
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
11 4th St
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345
Grades: K-6
| 175 students
Rank: #55.
A.c.e. High Academy - 06
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
527 Montgomery St
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Grades: 9-12
| 19 students
Rank: n/an/a
11 4th St
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345
Grades: 7-8
| 54 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Custer School District 16-1?
Custer School District 16-1 manages 6 public schools serving 906 students.
What is the rank of Custer School District 16-1?
Custer School District 16-1 is ranked #86 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (bottom 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: Highest science proficiency (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Custer School District 16-1?
85% of Custer School District 16-1 students are White, 7% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Custer School District 16-1?
Custer School District 16-1 has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Custer School District 16-1's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $21,682 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
