Top Rankings
Douglas School District 51-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 5 public schools serving 2,753 students in Douglas School District 51-1. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Douglas School District 51-1 have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
5 Schools
734 Schools
# Students
2,753 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
177 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Douglas School District 51-1, 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 80-84% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#94 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
42%
Graduation Rate
80-84%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.53
0.53
% American Indian
8%
14%
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
11%
8%
% Black
2%
3%
% White
66%
67%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
12%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,308 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,736 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$34 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$30 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,308
$13,121
Spending / Student
$10,736
$12,623
Best Douglas School District 51-1 Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Patriot Elementary -06
(Math: 53% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
421 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Grades: K-3
| 936 students
Rank: #22.
Douglas High School - 03
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
420 Patriot Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0030
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0030
Grades: 9-12
| 752 students
Rank: #33.
Vandenberg Elementary - 02
(Math: 42% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
561 Briggs St
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0060
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0060
Grades: 4-5
| 442 students
Rank: #44.
Douglas Middle School - 01
(Math: 32% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
691 Tower Rd
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0050
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0050
Grades: 6-8
| 623 students
Rank: n/an/a
421 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0000
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0000
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Douglas School District 51-1?
Douglas School District 51-1 manages 5 public schools serving 2,753 students.
What is the rank of Douglas School District 51-1?
Douglas School District 51-1 is ranked #91 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. This district ranks in the top 20% of South Dakota school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Douglas School District 51-1?
66% of Douglas School District 51-1 students are White, 12% of students are Two or more races, 11% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are American Indian, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Douglas School District 51-1?
Douglas School District 51-1 has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Douglas School District 51-1's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $10,736 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
