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 2025-26 school year, there are 3 public elementary schools serving 2,001 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
5 Schools
497 Schools
# Students
2,753 Students
101,009 Students
# Teachers
177 Teachers
7,507 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%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.53
0.55
% American Indian
8%
17%
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
11%
8%
% Black
2%
3%
% White
66%
64%
% 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 Elementary Schools (2025-26)
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: K-3 | 936 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
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 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
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 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Recent Articles

10 Advantages of Public Education in 2025
Explore 10 key benefits of public education in 2025, with fresh statistics, expert insights, and real-world examples for parents and educators.

COVID-19’s Lasting Impact on U.S. Public Schools (2025)
Explore how COVID-19 continues to affect U.S. public schools in 2025: learning losses, enrollment shifts, mental health, and recovery strategies.