Top Rankings
Smee School District 15-3 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 2026-27 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 174 students in Smee School District 15-3. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Smee School District 15-3 have an average math proficiency score of 12% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
724 Schools
# Students
174 Students
146,776 Students
# Teachers
20 Teachers
10,614 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
9:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Smee School District 15-3, which is ranked within the bottom 50% 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 40-59% has decreased from 50% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#138 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)10-14%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)40-59%
82%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)38.3%
22.5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.09
0.53
% American Indian
95%
14%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
1%
9%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
2%
66%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $28,425 is higher than the state median of $13,055. The school district revenue/student has grown by 24% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $26,655 is higher than the state median of $12,560. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$5 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$5 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$28,425
$13,055
Spending / Student
$26,655
$12,560
Best Smee School District 15-3 Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Wakpala High School - 01
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
12250 Sd Hwy 1806
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Gr: 9-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: #22.
Wakpala Elementary - 02
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
12250 Sd Hwy 1806
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Gr: K-5 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #33.
Wakpala Middle School - 04
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
12250 Sd Hwy 1806
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Gr: 6-8 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Smee School District 15-3?
Smee School District 15-3 manages 3 public schools serving 174 students.
What is the rank of Smee School District 15-3?
Smee School District 15-3 is ranked #132 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (bottom 50%) 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: Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Smee School District 15-3?
95% of Smee School District 15-3 students are American Indian, 2% of students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Smee School District 15-3?
Smee School District 15-3 has a student/teacher ratio of 9:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Smee School District 15-3's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $26,655 is higher than the state median of $12,560. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
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