Top Rankings
Harding County School District 31-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 221 students in Harding County School District 31-1. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Harding County School District 31-1 have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 3% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
734 Schools
# Students
221 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
21 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
District Rank
Harding County School District 31-1, which is ranked within the top 30% 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 50% has decreased from 80% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#27 out of 148 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-59%
42%
Graduation Rate
≥50%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.05
0.53
# American Indian Students
n/a
20,873 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
14%
# Asian Students
n/a
2,252 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
2%
# Hispanic Students
1 Student
11,917 Students
% Hispanic Students
1%
8%
# Black Students
n/a
4,730 Students
% Black Students
n/a
3%
# White Students
215 Students
97,780 Students
% White Students
97%
67%
# Hawaiian Students
1 Student
197 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
4 Students
8,292 Students
% of Two or more races Students
2%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
-
3,175
# Students in K Grade:
13
11,936
# Students in 1st Grade:
17
10,796
# Students in 2nd Grade:
18
10,955
# Students in 3rd Grade:
22
10,445
# Students in 4th Grade:
10
10,671
# Students in 5th Grade:
21
10,790
# Students in 6th Grade:
16
10,961
# Students in 7th Grade:
22
11,058
# Students in 8th Grade:
20
11,237
# Students in 9th Grade:
19
12,230
# Students in 10th Grade:
13
11,381
# Students in 11th Grade:
15
10,546
# Students in 12th Grade:
15
9,860
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $21,719 is higher than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has declined by 12% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,991 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has declined by 12% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$5 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$21,719
$13,121
Spending / Student
$17,991
$12,623
Best Harding County School District 31-1 Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Harding County Middle School - 03
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
12474 Tipperary St
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Grades: 6-8
| 58 students
Rank: #22.
Buffalo Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
12474 Tipperary St
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Grades: K-5
| 101 students
Rank: #33.
Harding County High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
12474 Tipperary St
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Grades: 9-12
| 62 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Harding County School District 31-1?
Harding County School District 31-1 manages 3 public schools serving 221 students.
What is the rank of Harding County School District 31-1?
Harding County School District 31-1 is ranked #33 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 30%) 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: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%) and Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
What is the racial composition of students in Harding County School District 31-1?
97% of Harding County School District 31-1 students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Harding County School District 31-1?
Harding County School District 31-1 has a student/teacher ratio of 11:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Harding County School District 31-1's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $17,991 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has declined by 12% over four school years.
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