Smee School District 15-3

12250 Sd Hwy 1806
Wakpala, SD 57658
(District boundaries shown in map)
: 
1/
10
Bottom 50%

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 is 1 public high school serving 38 students in Smee School District 15-3. This district's average high testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in South Dakota.
Public High School in Smee School District 15-3 have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the South Dakota public high school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 63% statewide average).
Public High School in Smee School District 15-3 have a Graduation Rate of 50%, which is less than the South Dakota average of 82%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Wakpala High School - 01, with ≥50% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Dakota or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 100% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public high school average of 36% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
216 Schools
# Students
174 Students
47,253 Students
# Teachers
20 Teachers
3,334 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.
This School District
State Average (SD)
#138 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

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

(21-22)
10-14%
42%

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

35-39%
51%

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

≤10%
42%
(21-22)
40-59%
82%

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

(2022-23)
38.3%
22.5%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.09
0.55

Showing 2014–2023. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓

% American Indian
95%
19%

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

% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
1%
8%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
2%
64%

Showing 2005–2020. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓

% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $29,810 is higher than the state median of $14,736. The school district revenue/student has declined by 9% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $28,466 is higher than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has declined by 16% over four school years.
This School District
This State (SD)
Total Revenue
$5 MM
$2,163 MM

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

Spending
$5 MM
$2,227 MM

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

Revenue / Student
$29,810
$14,736

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

Spending / Student
$28,466
$15,173

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

Best Smee School District 15-3 Public High Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Wakpala High School - 01
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
12250 Sd Hwy 1806
Wakpala, SD 57658
(605) 845-3040
Gr: 9-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1

Recent Articles

Can Your Child Get Into School Clubs and Activities?
Can Your Child Get Into School Clubs and Activities?
Discover whether your child can access advertised school clubs and activities, including enrollment limits, tryouts, fees, transportation, scheduling conflicts, and essential questions parents should ask before choosing schools today.
Who Supervises Students When Their Teacher Is Out?
Who Supervises Students When Their Teacher Is Out?
Discover who supervises students when regular teachers are absent, how schools arrange classroom coverage, what qualifications substitutes need, and which questions parents should ask about safety and learning continuity.
When the School Nurse Isn't There: Parent Guide
When the School Nurse Isn't There: Parent Guide
Learn what happens when school nurses are absent, how public schools handle medications and emergencies, and which essential questions parents should ask to protect their children's health and safety daily.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • District size: 3 schools
  • Grades: K-12
  • Enrollment: 174 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 98%
  • : 40-59% (Top 50% in SD)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 10-14% (Btm 50%)
  • : 35-39% (Btm 50%)
  • : ≤10% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education

Quick Links