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%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 159 students in Harding County School District 31-1. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
Public Elementary Schools in Harding County School District 31-1 have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 60% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 3% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
495 Schools
# Students
221 Students
100,764 Students
# Teachers
21 Teachers
7,485 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Harding County School District 31-1, which is ranked within the top 20% 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 50% has decreased from 80% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#20 out of 148 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-59%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥50%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.05
0.55
% American Indian
n/a
17%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
1%
8%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
97%
64%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $21,719 is higher than the state median of $13,146. 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 $12,647. 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
$13,146
Spending / Student
$17,991
$12,647
Best Harding County School District 31-1 Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Harding County Middle School - 03
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
12474 Tipperary St
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Gr: 6-8 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #22.
Buffalo Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
12474 Tipperary St
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Gr: K-5 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Recent Articles
2025 Classroom Size Trends: Are Classes Still Growing?
A 2025 update on U.S. classroom sizes, policy battles, student outcomes, and whether class sizes continue to expand.
Personalized Learning in 2025: Revolutionizing Education
Explore how personalized learning is reshaping education in 2025—insights, policy, impact, and real-world models for students, parents, and educators.
How Bullying Impacts Student Academic Performance in 2025
Explore how bullying harms student achievement, attendance, and well-being — and strategies schools use in 2025 to mitigate its effects.
