For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 354 students in De Smet School District 38-2. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in De Smet School District 38-2 have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 7% 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
3 Schools
734 Schools
# Students
354 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
26 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
De Smet School District 38-2, 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 80% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#69 out of 148 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
42%
Graduation Rate
≥80%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.13
0.53
% American Indian
1%
14%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
4%
8%
% Black
1%
3%
% White
93%
67%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,960 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has declined by 16% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,424 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has declined by 16% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$5 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,960
$13,121
Spending / Student
$11,424
$12,623
Best De Smet School District 38-2 Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
407 Ingalls Ave Sw
De Smet, SD 57231
(605) 854-3963
De Smet, SD 57231
(605) 854-3963
Grades: PK-5
| 178 students
Rank: #22.
De Smet High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
405 3rd St Sw
De Smet, SD 57231
(605) 854-3423
De Smet, SD 57231
(605) 854-3423
Grades: 9-12
| 90 students
Rank: #33.
De Smet Middle School - 03
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
405 3rd St Sw
De Smet, SD 57231
(605) 854-3423
De Smet, SD 57231
(605) 854-3423
Grades: 6-8
| 86 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to De Smet School District 38-2?
De Smet School District 38-2 manages 3 public schools serving 354 students.
What is the rank of De Smet School District 38-2?
De Smet School District 38-2 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.
What is the racial composition of students in De Smet School District 38-2?
93% of De Smet School District 38-2 students are White, 4% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of De Smet School District 38-2?
De Smet School District 38-2 has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is equal to the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is De Smet School District 38-2's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $11,424 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has declined by 16% over four school years.
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