South Central 26-5 School District

Item: South Central 26-5 School District
Rating: 7
Author: Public School Review

401 Birdsell St
Bonesteel, SD 57317

( shown in map)

Top 50%

Tel: (605) 654-2314

southcentral.k12.sd.us

Top Rankings

South Central 26-5 School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:

Overview

This School District

This State (SD)

# Schools

2 Schools

729 Schools

# Students

58 Students

145,763 Students

# Teachers

7 Teachers

10,615 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

8:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
Pre-K	10	18
Kind	13	69
1	8	63
2	9	64
3	5	61
4	6	62
5	7	63

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District Rank

South Central 26-5 School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 146 school districts in South Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

This School District

State Average (SD)

#48 out of 148 school districts
(Top 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	South Central 26-5 School District
2023	#48
2022	#77
2021	#73
2019	#123
2018	#124
2017	#127
2016	#139
2015	#123
2013	#138
2012	#132
2011	#144

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70%

42%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2023	70%	42%
2022	49%	42%
2021	50%	43%
2019	30%	46%
2018	34%	47%
2017	34%	47%
2016	24%	45%
2015	24%	42%
2013	54%	73%
2012	67%	75%
2011	52%	76%

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40-59%

51%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2022	49%	51%
2021	50%	52%
2019	49%	54%
2018	34%	54%
2017	44%	53%
2016	34%	52%
2015	44%	49%
2013	64%	74%
2012	67%	75%
2011	52%	75%
2010	57%	75%

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≥50%

42%

(17-18)

≥50%

82%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2018	50%	82%
2015	50%	82%
2013	50%	81%
2012	50%	81%
2011	50%	81%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.51

0.53

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2023	0.56	0.51
2022	0.57	0.50
2021	0.56	0.50
2020	0.53	0.50
2019	0.53	0.50
2018	0.54	0.47
2017	0.54	0.47
2016	0.54	0.42
2015	0.55	0.41
2014	0.52	0.40
2013	0.52	0.38
2012	0.54	0.38
2011	0.51	0.40
2010	0.51	0.37
2009	0.52	0.38
2008	0.49	0.30
2007	0.47	0.28
2006	0.46	0.34
2005	0.46	0.28
2004	0.47	0.34
2003	0.50	0.32
2002	0.45	0.31
2001	0.41	0.31
2000	0.39	0.27
1999	0.40	0.29
1998	0.36	0.29
1997	0.40	0.29
1996	0.37	0.28
1995	0.34	0.28
1994	0.34	0.27
1993	0.35	0.25

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% American Indian

41%

14%

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2023	42%	14%
2022	42%	14%
2021	42%	14%
2020	42%	16%
2019	42%	16%
2018	39%	16%
2017	39%	16%
2016	43%	12%
2015	38%	11%
2014	43%	11%
2013	38%	11%
2012	41%	12%
2011	43%	17%
2010	39%	16%
2009	40%	17%
2008	35%	12%
2007	33%	11%
2006	33%	17%
2005	33%	11%
2004	33%	16%
2003	37%	16%
2002	34%	15%
2001	28%	15%
2000	30%	14%
1999	29%	14%
1998	23%	14%
1997	27%	14%
1996	24%	14%
1995	22%	14%
1994	22%	13%
1993	22%	12%

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% Asian

n/a

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2010-2021)
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2021	1%	2%
2010	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

n/a

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2004-2018)
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2018	1%	5%
2017	1%	5%
2016	1%	5%
2013	3%	4%
2012	2%	4%
2011	1%	3%
2010	1%	3%
2009	2%	3%
2008	1%	2%
2007	1%	2%
2006	1%	2%
2005	1%	2%
2004	2%	2%

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% Black

n/a

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2007-2023)
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2023	1%	3%
2022	1%	3%
2021	1%	3%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2018	1%	3%
2017	1%	3%
2016	1%	3%
2015	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	2%
2010	1%	2%
2009	2%	2%
2008	2%	2%
2007	2%	2%

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% White

57%

67%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2023	52%	68%
2022	51%	69%
2021	52%	69%
2020	54%	69%
2019	54%	69%
2018	56%	71%
2017	56%	71%
2016	53%	75%
2015	56%	76%
2014	55%	77%
2013	58%	78%
2012	55%	78%
2011	55%	76%
2010	58%	78%
2009	56%	77%
2008	62%	83%
2007	64%	84%
2006	65%	80%
2005	65%	84%
2004	65%	80%
2003	60%	81%
2002	66%	82%
2001	72%	82%
2000	76%	86%
1999	75%	83%
1998	77%	83%
1997	73%	83%
1996	76%	84%
1995	78%	84%
1994	78%	84%
1993	78%	86%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2023	5%	5%
2022	6%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	3%	4%
2019	3%	4%
2018	2%	3%
2017	2%	3%
2016	2%	3%
2015	5%	3%
2014	1%	2%
2012	1%	1%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $27,017 is higher than the state median of $13,146. The school district revenue/student has grown by 27% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $29,328 is higher than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has grown by 67% over four school years.

This School District

This State (SD)

Total Revenue

$2 MM

$1,916 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2023	$2 MM	$6 MM
2022	$2 MM	$5 MM
2021	$2 MM	$6 MM
2020	$2 MM	$5 MM
2019	$2 MM	$5 MM
2018	$2 MM	$5 MM
2017	$2 MM	$5 MM
2016	$2 MM	$4 MM
2015	$3 MM	$4 MM
2014	$2 MM	$4 MM
2012	$2 MM	$4 MM
2011	$2 MM	$4 MM
2010	$3 MM	$4 MM
2009	$2 MM	$3 MM
2008	$2 MM	$3 MM
2007	$3 MM	$3 MM
2006	$2 MM	$3 MM
2005	$2 MM	$3 MM
2004	$3 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

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Spending

$2 MM

$1,844 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2023	$2 MM	$5 MM
2022	$2 MM	$5 MM
2021	$2 MM	$5 MM
2020	$2 MM	$5 MM
2019	$2 MM	$5 MM
2018	$2 MM	$5 MM
2017	$2 MM	$5 MM
2016	$2 MM	$4 MM
2015	$2 MM	$3 MM
2014	$2 MM	$4 MM
2012	$2 MM	$3 MM
2011	$2 MM	$4 MM
2010	$2 MM	$3 MM
2009	$2 MM	$3 MM
2008	$2 MM	$3 MM
2007	$2 MM	$3 MM
2006	$2 MM	$3 MM
2005	$3 MM	$3 MM
2004	$6 MM	$2 MM
2003	$3 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

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Revenue / Student (18-19)

$27,017

$13,146

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2019	$36,082	$14,816
2018	$21,333	$15,113
2017	$15,047	$15,388
2016	$16,941	$14,130
2015	$21,217	$11,732
2014	$13,685	$11,720
2012	$14,562	$11,685
2011	$15,760	$11,891
2010	$17,087	$11,732
2009	$12,721	$10,941
2008	$18,771	$10,856
2007	$19,346	$10,306
2006	$16,938	$10,049
2005	$15,500	$9,356
2004	$15,247	$8,456
2003	$11,434	$8,337
2002	$10,555	$7,799
2001	$7,681	$7,600
2000	$7,124	$7,183
1999	$6,919	$6,671
1998	$8,192	$5,954
1997	$7,941	$5,709
1995	$6,641	$5,253
1992	$5,241	$4,776
1990	$4,947	$4,576

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Spending / Student (18-19)

$29,328

$12,647

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	South Central 26-5 School District	South Dakota
2019	$27,836	$14,567
2018	$21,926	$15,244
2017	$21,396	$14,997
2016	$17,151	$13,890
2015	$17,550	$11,206
2014	$14,181	$11,268
2012	$14,650	$10,790
2011	$13,774	$11,832
2010	$14,134	$11,206
2009	$13,367	$10,706
2008	$15,641	$10,238
2007	$15,368	$9,578
2006	$14,158	$9,559
2005	$17,219	$9,435
2004	$36,488	$8,315
2003	$12,259	$8,840
2002	$9,325	$8,399
2001	$8,870	$8,153
2000	$7,853	$7,670
1999	$7,863	$6,645
1998	$7,196	$5,696
1997	$7,424	$5,234
1995	$6,332	$5,109
1992	$5,356	$5,221
1990	$4,154	$4,500

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Best South Central 26-5 School District Public Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

South Central Elementary - 03

(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

401 Birdsell St
Bonesteel, SD 57317
(605) 654-2314

Gr: PK-5 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 43%

Rank: n/an/a

Whole Grade Sharing With Burke - 04

Add to Compare

900 Washington St
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2645

Gr: 6-12

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to South Central 26-5 School District?

South Central 26-5 School District manages 2 public schools serving 58 students.

What is the rank of South Central 26-5 School District?

South Central 26-5 School District is ranked #42 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 30%) 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 math proficiency (Top 5%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in South Central 26-5 School District?

57% of South Central 26-5 School District students are White, 41% of students are American Indian, and 2% of students are Two or more races.

What is the student/teacher ratio of South Central 26-5 School District?

South Central 26-5 School District has a student/teacher ratio of 8:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.

What is South Central 26-5 School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $29,328 is higher than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has grown by 67% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

District size: 2 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 58 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
Minority Enrollment: 43%
: ≥50%
: Top 50% in SD
: 70% (Top 5%)
: 40-59% (Btm 50%)
: ≥50% (Top 30%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education