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Northwestern Area School District 56-7

Item: Northwestern Area School District 56-7
Rating: 8
Author: Public School Review

221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461

( shown in map)

Top 30%

Tel: (605) 887-3467

www.northwestern.k12.sd.us

Top Rankings

Northwestern Area School District 56-7 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:

Overview

This School District

This State (SD)

# Schools

6 Schools

724 Schools

# Students

387 Students

146,776 Students

# Teachers

26 Teachers

10,614 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

15:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
Pre-K	13	19
Kind	25	68
1	26	62
2	29	64
3	12	64
4	26	61
5	14	63
6	15	64
7	31	63
8	23	63
9	25	70
10	40	65
11	49	61
12	59	60

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District Rank

Northwestern Area School District 56-7, 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 50-59% has increased from 50% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (SD)

#42 out of 148 school districts
(Top 30%)

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7
2023	#42
2022	#40
2021	#35
2019	#65
2018	#70
2017	#54
2016	#61
2015	#43
2013	#38
2012	#95
2011	#94
2010	#97

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52%

42%

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	52%	42%
2022	52%	42%
2021	47%	43%
2019	52%	46%
2018	47%	47%
2017	47%	47%
2016	47%	45%
2015	42%	42%
2013	82%	73%
2012	77%	75%
2011	77%	76%
2010	77%	76%

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55-59%

51%

View Data

Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2022	57%	51%
2021	62%	52%
2019	52%	54%
2018	47%	54%
2017	57%	53%
2016	52%	52%
2015	57%	49%
2013	77%	74%
2012	72%	75%
2011	72%	75%
2010	72%	75%

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50-54%

42%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2022	52%	42%
2021	47%	42%

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(21-22)

50-59%

82%

View Data

Showing 2013–2022. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2022	54%	82%
2021	74%	80%
2020	69%	84%
2019	50%	83%
2018	50%	82%
2017	50%	82%
2016	80%	82%
2015	80%	82%
2014	80%	81%
2013	80%	81%
2012	80%	81%
2011	80%	81%

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(2022-23)

28.6%

22.5%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	28.6%	22.5%
2022	14.2%	23.1%
2021	7.4%	20%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.20

0.53

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	0.11	0.51
2022	0.14	0.50
2021	0.13	0.50
2020	0.10	0.50
2019	0.10	0.50
2018	0.05	0.48
2017	0.05	0.47
2016	0.06	0.42
2015	0.05	0.41
2014	0.05	0.40
2013	0.05	0.38
2012	0.07	0.38
2011	0.08	0.40
2010	0.03	0.37
2009	0.02	0.37
2008	0.02	0.28
2007	0.01	0.28
2006	0.02	0.35
2005	0.01	0.28
2004	0.02	0.34
2003	0.02	0.32
2002	0.04	0.31
2001	0.02	0.31
2000	0.03	0.31
1999	0.05	0.29
1998	0.08	0.29
1997	0.04	0.28
1996	0.05	0.28
1995	0.04	0.28
1994	0.05	0.26
1993	0.03	0.25

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% American Indian

14%

View Data

Showing 2010–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison (1993-2023)
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	1%	14%
2022	2%	14%
2021	2%	14%
2020	2%	14%
2019	2%	16%
2016	1%	11%
2015	1%	11%
2014	1%	11%
2011	1%	16%
2010	2%	16%
2009	1%	16%
2008	1%	11%
2006	1%	16%
2005	1%	11%
2002	1%	15%
2001	1%	15%
2000	2%	15%
1999	2%	14%
1998	4%	14%
1997	2%	13%
1996	1%	14%
1995	1%	13%
1994	3%	13%
1993	2%	12%

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% Asian

n/a

% Hispanic

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (2011-2023)
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	2%	8%
2021	1%	7%
2013	1%	4%
2012	2%	4%
2011	1%	3%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1995-2023)
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2002	1%	1%
2001	1%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%

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% White

89%

66%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1993-2023)
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	94%	68%
2022	93%	69%
2021	93%	69%
2020	95%	69%
2019	95%	69%
2018	97%	70%
2017	97%	71%
2016	97%	75%
2015	98%	76%
2014	97%	77%
2013	98%	78%
2012	96%	78%
2011	96%	76%
2010	98%	78%
2009	99%	78%
2008	99%	84%
2007	100%	84%
2006	99%	79%
2005	99%	84%
2004	100%	80%
2003	100%	81%
2002	98%	82%
2001	98%	82%
2000	98%	82%
1999	97%	83%
1998	96%	83%
1997	98%	84%
1996	98%	84%
1995	98%	84%
1994	97%	85%
1993	98%	86%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2011-2023)
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	2%	5%
2022	5%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	3%	5%
2019	3%	4%
2018	2%	4%
2017	2%	3%
2016	2%	4%
2015	1%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	1%	2%
2012	1%	2%
2011	2%	1%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $11,765 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,736. The school district revenue/student has declined by 8% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $27,444 is higher than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has grown by 104% over four school years.

This School District

This State (SD)

Total Revenue

$5 MM

$2,163 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	$5 MM	$6 MM
2022	$4 MM	$6 MM
2021	$4 MM	$6 MM
2020	$4 MM	$5 MM
2019	$3 MM	$5 MM
2018	$3 MM	$5 MM
2017	$3 MM	$5 MM
2016	$3 MM	$4 MM
2015	$3 MM	$4 MM
2014	$3 MM	$4 MM
2012	$3 MM	$4 MM
2011	$3 MM	$4 MM
2010	$3 MM	$4 MM
2009	$3 MM	$3 MM
2008	$3 MM	$3 MM
2007	$3 MM	$3 MM
2006	$3 MM	$3 MM
2005	$3 MM	$3 MM
2004	$2 MM	$3 MM
2003	$2 MM	$2 MM
2002	$2 MM	$2 MM
2001	$2 MM	$2 MM
2000	$2 MM	$2 MM
1999	$2 MM	$2 MM
1998	$2 MM	$2 MM
1997	$2 MM	$2 MM
1996	$2 MM	$2 MM
1995	$2 MM	$2 MM
1992	$1 MM	$1 MM
1990	$1 MM	$1 MM

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Spending

$11 MM

$2,227 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	$11 MM	$6 MM
2022	$4 MM	$5 MM
2021	$4 MM	$5 MM
2020	$3 MM	$5 MM
2019	$3 MM	$5 MM
2018	$3 MM	$5 MM
2017	$3 MM	$5 MM
2016	$3 MM	$4 MM
2015	$3 MM	$3 MM
2014	$3 MM	$4 MM
2012	$3 MM	$3 MM
2011	$3 MM	$4 MM
2010	$3 MM	$3 MM
2009	$3 MM	$3 MM
2008	$2 MM	$3 MM
2007	$2 MM	$3 MM
2006	$2 MM	$3 MM
2005	$2 MM	$3 MM
2004	$2 MM	$2 MM
2003	$2 MM	$3 MM
2002	$2 MM	$2 MM
2001	$2 MM	$2 MM
2000	$2 MM	$2 MM
1999	$2 MM	$2 MM
1998	$2 MM	$2 MM
1997	$2 MM	$2 MM
1996	$2 MM	$2 MM
1995	$2 MM	$2 MM
1992	$1 MM	$2 MM
1990	$1 MM	$1 MM

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Revenue / Student

$11,765

$14,736

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	$13,551	$16,435
2022	$12,834	$16,255
2021	$12,879	$16,342
2020	$12,228	$14,965
2019	$12,225	$14,816
2018	$12,353	$15,113
2017	$12,181	$15,388
2016	$11,933	$14,130
2015	$13,470	$11,732
2014	$10,871	$11,720
2012	$9,472	$11,685
2011	$9,524	$11,891
2010	$10,352	$11,732
2009	$8,488	$10,941
2008	$9,585	$10,856
2007	$9,185	$10,306
2006	$9,101	$10,049
2005	$8,413	$9,356
2004	$7,548	$8,456
2003	$7,890	$8,337
2002	$7,323	$7,799
2001	$7,211	$7,600
2000	$7,068	$7,183
1999	$6,456	$6,671
1998	$6,037	$5,954
1997	$5,860	$5,709
1995	$5,076	$5,253
1992	$4,090	$4,776
1990	$3,953	$4,576

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Spending / Student

$27,444

$15,173

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	$31,610	$17,003
2022	$13,438	$15,919
2021	$11,184	$15,118
2020	$10,596	$14,171
2019	$11,364	$14,567
2018	$11,707	$15,244
2017	$13,378	$14,997
2016	$11,728	$13,890
2015	$11,116	$11,206
2014	$9,971	$11,268
2012	$8,441	$10,790
2011	$9,145	$11,832
2010	$8,543	$11,206
2009	$7,973	$10,706
2008	$8,455	$10,238
2007	$8,317	$9,578
2006	$7,837	$9,559
2005	$7,061	$9,435
2004	$7,473	$8,315
2003	$7,026	$8,840
2002	$7,265	$8,399
2001	$7,337	$8,153
2000	$7,840	$7,670
1999	$6,110	$6,645
1998	$5,626	$5,696
1997	$5,567	$5,234
1995	$4,994	$5,109
1992	$4,158	$5,221
1990	$4,044	$4,500

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Best Northwestern Area School District 56-7 Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Northwestern High School - 01

(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467

Gr: 9-12 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 4%

Rank: #22.

Northwestern Middle School - 02

(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467

Gr: 6-8 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%

Rank: #33.

Northwestern Elementary - 04

(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467

Gr: PK-5 | 135 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%

Rank: n/an/a

Hutterville Colony Elementary - 06

Add to Compare

14625 401st Ave
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 396-7497

Gr: K-8 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1

Rank: n/an/a

Isucceed Middle School - 93

Add to Compare

221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467

Gr: 6-8 | 7 students Minority enrollment: 14%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Northwestern Area School District 56-7?

Northwestern Area School District 56-7 manages 5 public schools serving 387 students.

What is the rank of Northwestern Area School District 56-7?

Northwestern Area School District 56-7 is ranked #44 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of South Dakota school districts for: Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)

What is the racial composition of students in Northwestern Area School District 56-7?

89% of Northwestern Area School District 56-7 students are White, 4% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Black.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Northwestern Area School District 56-7?

Northwestern Area School District 56-7 has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is higher than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.

What is Northwestern Area School District 56-7's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $27,444 is higher than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has grown by 104% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 6 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 387 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 11%
: 50-59% (Top 50% in SD)
: Top 30%
: 52% (Top 30%)
: 55-59% (Top 30%)
: 50-54% (Top 20%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education