Top Rankings
Douglas School District 51-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 3 public elementary schools serving 2,069 students in Douglas School District 51-1. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
Public Elementary Schools in Douglas School District 51-1 have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
4 Schools
494 Schools
# Students
2,808 Students
101,278 Students
# Teachers
180 Teachers
7,454 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 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 87% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#95 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
42%
Graduation Rate
87%
82%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)28%
22.5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.54
0.56
% American Indian
8%
16%
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
12%
9%
% Black
2%
3%
% White
65%
64%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
12%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,067 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,055. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,525 is less than the state median of $12,560. The school district spending/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$34 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$30 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,067
$13,055
Spending / Student
$10,525
$12,560
Best Douglas School District 51-1 Public Elementary Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Patriot Elementary -06
(Math: 56% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
421 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Gr: PK-3 | 982 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #22.
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
Gr: 4-5 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #33.
Douglas Middle School - 01
(Math: 28% | 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
Gr: 6-8 | 633 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
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.
