For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 362 students in De Smet School District 38-2. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, 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 36% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 11% 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
3 Schools
725 Schools
# Students
362 Students
146,792 Students
# Teachers
27 Teachers
10,615 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
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 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#89 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥80%
82%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)8.4%
22.5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.21
0.53
% American Indian
1%
14%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
5%
9%
% Black
1%
3%
% White
89%
66%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,674 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,054. The school district revenue/student has declined by 14% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,171 is less than the state median of $12,558. The school district spending/student has declined by 20% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$5 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,674
$13,054
Spending / Student
$11,171
$12,558
Best De Smet School District 38-2 Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
405 Ingalls Ave Sw
De Smet, SD 57231
(605) 854-3963
De Smet, SD 57231
(605) 854-3963
Gr: PK-5 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
De Smet High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
405 3rd St Sw
De Smet, SD 57231
(605) 854-3423
De Smet, SD 57231
(605) 854-3423
Gr: 9-12 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
De Smet Middle School - 03
(Math: 25-29% | 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
Gr: 6-8 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
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 362 students.
What is the rank of De Smet School District 38-2?
De Smet School District 38-2 is ranked #100 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (bottom 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 De Smet School District 38-2?
89% of De Smet School District 38-2 students are White, 5% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Black.
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 13:1, which is lower than 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 $11,171 is less than the state median of $12,558. The school district spending/student has declined by 20% over four school years.
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