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%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public middle schools serving 157 students in Custer School District 16-1. This district's average middle testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public middle schools in South Dakota.
Public Middle Schools in Custer School District 16-1 have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public middle school average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
6 Schools
295 Schools
# Students
906 Students
40,126 Students
# Teachers
75 Teachers
2,993 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
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.
Overall District Rank
#77 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
42%
Graduation Rate
92%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.27
0.59
% American Indian
2%
26%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
7%
7%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
85%
58%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,472 is higher than the state median of $13,146. The school district revenue/student has grown by 9% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,682 is higher than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has grown by 60% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$14 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$20 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,472
$13,146
Spending / Student
$21,682
$12,647
Best Custer School District 16-1 Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Custer Jr. High - 05
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1645 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Gr: 7-8 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: n/an/a
11 4th St
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345
Gr: 7-8 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Recent Articles
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.
