Top Rankings
Leola School District 44-2 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public elementary schools serving 156 students in Leola School District 44-2. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
Public Elementary Schools in Leola School District 44-2 have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 4% of the student body (majority Black and 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
7 Schools
496 Schools
# Students
205 Students
101,307 Students
# Teachers
24 Teachers
7,456 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
9:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Leola School District 44-2, which is ranked within the top 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 50% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#38 out of 148 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-39%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥50%
82%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)14.8%
22.5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.13
0.56
% American Indian
n/a
16%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
1%
9%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
93%
64%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $21,239 is higher than the state median of $13,053. The school district revenue/student has grown by 23% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $18,049 is higher than the state median of $12,557. The school district spending/student has grown by 25% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$4 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$21,239
$13,053
Spending / Student
$18,049
$12,557
Best Leola School District 44-2 Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Leola Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
820 Leola Ave
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Gr: PK-5 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Grassland Colony Elementary - 06
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
11865 370th Ave
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Gr: K-8 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: #33.
Spring Creek Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
36562 102nd St
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Gr: K-8 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #44.
Leola Jr. High - 03
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
820 Leola Ave
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Gr: 6-8 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: #55.
Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
36848 123rd St
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Gr: K-8 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Recent Articles
What Rising E-Bike and Traffic Concerns Mean for School Commutes
Discover how rising e-bike use and increasing traffic are changing school commutes, and what parents should evaluate before choosing a public school.
School Safety Beyond Lockdowns: What Parents Should Review
Learn how to evaluate a public school's safety beyond lockdown drills, including school climate, emergency planning, mental health support, and communication.
How to Judge Special Education Capacity Before You Enroll
Learn how to evaluate a public school's special education capacity before enrolling your child, from staffing and IEP implementation to inclusion and support services.
