Home > South Dakota > Custer County

Custer School District 16-1

Item: Custer School District 16-1
Rating: 5
Author: Public School Review

527 Montgomery St
Custer, SD 57730

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (605) 673-3154

www.csd.k12.sd.us

Top Rankings

Custer School District 16-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:

Overview

This School District

This State (SD)

# Schools

6 Schools

724 Schools

# Students

887 Students

146,776 Students

# Teachers

76 Teachers

10,614 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

12:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
Pre-K	18	19
Kind	69	68
1	61	62
2	56	64
3	54	64
4	64	61
5	64	63
6	64	64
7	74	63
8	75	63
9	80	70
10	78	65
11	55	61
12	75	60

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

District Rank

Custer School District 16-1, 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 92% has decreased from 95% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (SD)

#77 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1
2023	#77
2022	#89
2021	#80
2019	#101
2018	#122
2017	#122
2016	#127
2015	#133
2013	#120
2012	#84
2011	#83
2010	#85

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

47%

42%

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	47%	42%
2022	41%	42%
2021	40%	43%
2019	40%	46%
2018	35%	47%
2017	38%	47%
2016	34%	45%
2015	31%	42%
2013	66%	73%
2012	75%	75%
2011	74%	76%
2010	75%	76%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

51%

View Data

Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2022	51%	51%
2021	54%	52%
2019	54%	54%
2018	35%	54%
2017	44%	53%
2016	43%	52%
2015	39%	49%
2013	73%	74%
2012	80%	75%
2011	77%	75%
2010	79%	75%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

52%

42%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2022	52%	42%
2021	40%	42%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

92%

84%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	92%	84%
2022	77%	82%
2021	82%	80%
2020	92%	84%
2019	90%	83%
2018	95%	82%
2017	90%	82%
2016	87%	82%
2015	87%	82%
2014	87%	81%
2013	82%	81%
2012	84%	81%
2011	84%	81%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(2022-23)

13.8%

22.5%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	13.8%	22.5%
2022	15.2%	23.1%
2021	10%	20%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.26

0.53

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	0.28	0.51
2022	0.28	0.50
2021	0.27	0.50
2020	0.29	0.50
2019	0.29	0.50
2018	0.26	0.48
2017	0.26	0.47
2016	0.27	0.42
2015	0.27	0.41
2014	0.26	0.40
2013	0.26	0.38
2012	0.24	0.38
2011	0.20	0.40
2010	0.21	0.37
2009	0.20	0.37
2008	0.20	0.28
2007	0.16	0.28
2006	0.15	0.35
2005	0.18	0.28
2004	0.16	0.34
2003	0.16	0.32
2002	0.13	0.31
2001	0.14	0.31
2000	0.15	0.31
1999	0.14	0.29
1998	0.09	0.29
1997	0.13	0.28
1996	0.10	0.28
1995	0.09	0.28
1994	0.08	0.26
1993	0.08	0.25

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% American Indian

14%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison (1993-2023)
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	3%	14%
2022	4%	14%
2021	5%	14%
2020	6%	14%
2019	6%	16%
2018	5%	16%
2017	5%	16%
2016	6%	11%
2015	6%	11%
2014	6%	11%
2013	7%	11%
2012	5%	12%
2011	5%	16%
2010	6%	16%
2009	7%	16%
2008	6%	11%
2007	6%	11%
2006	4%	16%
2005	6%	11%
2004	5%	16%
2003	4%	15%
2002	5%	15%
2001	5%	15%
2000	5%	15%
1999	6%	14%
1998	3%	14%
1997	6%	13%
1996	4%	14%
1995	4%	13%
1994	4%	13%
1993	4%	12%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Asian

n/a

View Data

Showing 1999–2022. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1998-2022)
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2022	1%	2%
2012	1%	1%
2011	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%
2008	2%	1%
2006	1%	1%
2003	1%	1%
2000	1%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hispanic

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1995-2023)
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	8%	8%
2022	7%	7%
2021	6%	7%
2020	6%	7%
2019	6%	6%
2018	6%	5%
2017	6%	5%
2016	7%	5%
2015	6%	5%
2014	5%	4%
2013	5%	4%
2012	5%	4%
2011	4%	3%
2010	3%	3%
2009	2%	3%
2008	2%	2%
2007	2%	2%
2006	2%	2%
2005	2%	2%
2004	2%	2%
2003	2%	2%
2002	1%	1%
2001	2%	1%
2000	2%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%
1997	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Black

n/a

View Data

Showing 2010–2023. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (2001-2023)
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	1%	3%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2018	1%	3%
2017	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	3%
2010	1%	2%
2009	1%	2%
2008	1%	2%
2006	1%	2%
2005	1%	2%
2004	1%	1%
2003	1%	1%
2002	1%	1%
2001	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% White

86%

66%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1993-2023)
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	85%	68%
2022	84%	69%
2021	85%	69%
2020	84%	69%
2019	84%	69%
2018	86%	70%
2017	86%	71%
2016	85%	75%
2015	85%	76%
2014	86%	77%
2013	86%	78%
2012	87%	78%
2011	89%	76%
2010	89%	78%
2009	89%	78%
2008	89%	84%
2007	92%	84%
2006	92%	79%
2005	91%	84%
2004	92%	80%
2003	92%	81%
2002	93%	82%
2001	92%	82%
2000	92%	82%
1999	92%	83%
1998	95%	83%
1997	93%	84%
1996	95%	84%
1995	95%	84%
1994	96%	85%
1993	95%	86%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2012-2023)
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	3%	5%
2022	4%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	3%	5%
2019	3%	4%
2018	2%	4%
2017	2%	3%
2016	2%	4%
2015	3%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	1%	2%
2012	1%	2%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,858 is higher than the state median of $14,736. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $16,352 is higher than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has declined by 19% over four school years.

This School District

This State (SD)

Total Revenue

$17 MM

$2,163 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	$17 MM	$6 MM
2022	$16 MM	$6 MM
2021	$14 MM	$6 MM
2020	$13 MM	$5 MM
2019	$13 MM	$5 MM
2018	$12 MM	$5 MM
2017	$11 MM	$5 MM
2016	$11 MM	$4 MM
2015	$10 MM	$4 MM
2014	$11 MM	$4 MM
2012	$10 MM	$4 MM
2011	$11 MM	$4 MM
2010	$10 MM	$4 MM
2009	$10 MM	$3 MM
2008	$10 MM	$3 MM
2007	$11 MM	$3 MM
2006	$11 MM	$3 MM
2005	$10 MM	$3 MM
2004	$8 MM	$3 MM
2003	$8 MM	$2 MM
2002	$7 MM	$2 MM
2001	$7 MM	$2 MM
2000	$7 MM	$2 MM
1999	$7 MM	$2 MM
1998	$7 MM	$2 MM
1997	$7 MM	$2 MM
1996	$6 MM	$2 MM
1995	$6 MM	$2 MM
1992	$5 MM	$1 MM
1990	$4 MM	$1 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending

$15 MM

$2,227 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	$15 MM	$6 MM
2022	$19 MM	$5 MM
2021	$20 MM	$5 MM
2020	$13 MM	$5 MM
2019	$11 MM	$5 MM
2018	$11 MM	$5 MM
2017	$11 MM	$5 MM
2016	$10 MM	$4 MM
2015	$13 MM	$3 MM
2014	$9 MM	$4 MM
2012	$10 MM	$3 MM
2011	$16 MM	$4 MM
2010	$13 MM	$3 MM
2009	$10 MM	$3 MM
2008	$10 MM	$3 MM
2007	$10 MM	$3 MM
2006	$10 MM	$3 MM
2005	$15 MM	$3 MM
2004	$9 MM	$2 MM
2003	$7 MM	$3 MM
2002	$7 MM	$2 MM
2001	$7 MM	$2 MM
2000	$8 MM	$2 MM
1999	$7 MM	$2 MM
1998	$7 MM	$2 MM
1997	$6 MM	$2 MM
1996	$6 MM	$2 MM
1995	$6 MM	$2 MM
1992	$5 MM	$2 MM
1990	$4 MM	$1 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Revenue / Student

$18,858

$14,736

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	$18,361	$16,435
2022	$17,590	$16,255
2021	$15,768	$16,342
2020	$14,185	$14,965
2019	$13,481	$14,816
2018	$13,253	$15,113
2017	$12,889	$15,388
2016	$13,003	$14,130
2015	$11,984	$11,732
2014	$12,523	$11,720
2012	$11,615	$11,685
2011	$12,153	$11,891
2010	$11,338	$11,732
2009	$10,198	$10,941
2008	$10,873	$10,856
2007	$10,980	$10,306
2006	$11,110	$10,049
2005	$9,298	$9,356
2004	$8,283	$8,456
2003	$7,691	$8,337
2002	$7,182	$7,799
2001	$7,061	$7,600
2000	$6,534	$7,183
1999	$6,012	$6,671
1998	$6,293	$5,954
1997	$5,646	$5,709
1995	$4,759	$5,253
1992	$4,035	$4,776
1990	$3,922	$4,576

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending / Student

$16,352

$15,173

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	$15,921	$17,003
2022	$20,373	$15,919
2021	$22,097	$15,118
2020	$13,538	$14,171
2019	$11,704	$14,567
2018	$11,942	$15,244
2017	$12,041	$14,997
2016	$11,468	$13,890
2015	$14,961	$11,206
2014	$10,488	$11,268
2012	$11,491	$10,790
2011	$18,489	$11,832
2010	$14,155	$11,206
2009	$9,804	$10,706
2008	$10,219	$10,238
2007	$9,986	$9,578
2006	$10,580	$9,559
2005	$14,758	$9,435
2004	$8,791	$8,315
2003	$7,403	$8,840
2002	$6,934	$8,399
2001	$6,966	$8,153
2000	$7,049	$7,670
1999	$6,286	$6,645
1998	$6,152	$5,696
1997	$5,353	$5,234
1995	$5,019	$5,109
1992	$3,998	$5,221
1990	$3,759	$4,500

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Best Custer School District 16-1 Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Custer Elementary - 02

(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

1415 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4483

Gr: PK-6 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%

Rank: #22.

Custer High School - 01

(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 75-79%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

1645 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473

Gr: 9-12 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%

Rank: #33.

Custer Jr. High - 05

(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1645 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473

Gr: 7-8 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%

Rank: #44.

Hermosa Elementary - 04

(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

11 4th St
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345

Gr: PK-6 | 181 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

Rank: n/an/a

A.c.e. High Academy - 06

Alternative School

Add to Compare

527 Montgomery St
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473

Gr: 9-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%

Rank: n/an/a

Hermosa Middle School - 07

Add to Compare

11 4th St
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345

Gr: 7-8 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Custer School District 16-1?

Custer School District 16-1 manages 6 public schools serving 887 students.

What is the rank of Custer School District 16-1?

Custer School District 16-1 is ranked #69 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. This district ranks in the top 20% of South Dakota school districts for: Highest science proficiency (Top 20%), Highest graduation rate (Top 5%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Custer School District 16-1?

86% of Custer School District 16-1 students are White, 7% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are American Indian.

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 $16,352 is higher than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has declined by 19% over four school years.

Recent Articles

October 07, 2026

How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?

Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.

October 07, 2026

Does Your Child Need More Recess?

Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.

October 07, 2026

Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know

Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.

Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 6 schools
Grades: K-12
Enrollment: 887 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Minority Enrollment: 14%
: 92% (Top 5% in SD)
: Bottom 50%
: 47% (Top 50%)
: 51% (Btm 50%)
: 52% (Top 20%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education