For the 2026 school year, there is 1 public middle school serving 91 students in De Smet School District 38-2. This district's average middle testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in South Dakota.
Public Middle School in De Smet School District 38-2 have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 10% 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
3 Schools
293 Schools
# Students
362 Students
39,762 Students
# Teachers
27 Teachers
2,944 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
0.60
% American Indian
1%
26%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
5%
7%
% Black
1%
3%
% White
89%
58%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
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 Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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%
Recent Articles
How to Evaluate School Safety Beyond Headlines
Learn how to evaluate school safety beyond headlines by examining reliable data, school climate, emergency planning, bullying prevention, communication, student experiences, and everyday security practices before choosing a school.
Choosing a Public School for Executive Function Needs
Learn how to choose a public school for a child with executive function challenges by evaluating routines, classroom support, organization, accommodations, communication, transitions, and special education services before enrollment.
What School Climate Surveys Tell You Before Enrolling
Learn how school climate surveys reveal student safety, belonging, relationships, engagement, and support, and how families can interpret results carefully before choosing a public school for their child today.
