Top Rankings
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public middle schools serving 79 students in Northwestern Area School District 56-7. This district's average middle testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public middle schools in South Dakota.
Public Middle Schools in Northwestern Area School District 56-7 have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 62% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public middle school average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
6 Schools
292 Schools
# Students
387 Students
39,746 Students
# Teachers
26 Teachers
2,943 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
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.
Overall District Rank
#42 out of 148 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)50-59%
82%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)28.6%
22.5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.20
0.60
% American Indian
2%
26%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
4%
7%
% Black
1%
3%
% White
89%
58%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,682 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,055. The school district revenue/student has declined by 12% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $9,276 is less than the state median of $12,560. The school district spending/student has declined by 12% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$4 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,682
$13,055
Spending / Student
$9,276
$12,560
Best Northwestern Area School District 56-7 Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Northwestern Middle School - 02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Gr: 6-8 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: n/an/a
14625 401st Ave
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 396-7497
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 396-7497
Gr: K-8 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Rank: n/an/a
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Gr: 6-8 | 7 students Minority enrollment: 14%
Recent Articles
How to Evaluate School Safety Beyond Headlines
Learn how to evaluate school safety beyond headlines by examining reliable data, school climate, emergency planning, bullying prevention, communication, student experiences, and everyday security practices before choosing a school.
Choosing a Public School for Executive Function Needs
Learn how to choose a public school for a child with executive function challenges by evaluating routines, classroom support, organization, accommodations, communication, transitions, and special education services before enrollment.
What School Climate Surveys Tell You Before Enrolling
Learn how school climate surveys reveal student safety, belonging, relationships, engagement, and support, and how families can interpret results carefully before choosing a public school for their child today.
