Timber Lake School District 20-3

500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(District boundaries shown in map)
10/
10
Top 10%

Top Rankings

Timber Lake School District 20-3 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 10%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 10%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there is 1 public middle school serving 70 students in Timber Lake School District 20-3. This district's average middle testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% of public middle schools in South Dakota.
Public Middle School in Timber Lake School District 20-3 have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 67% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public middle school average of 42% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
294 Schools
# Students
372 Students
39,775 Students
# Teachers
36 Teachers
2,945 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
10:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Timber Lake School District 20-3, which is ranked within the top 5% 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 80% has increased from 50% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (SD)
#8 out of 148 school districts
(Top 10%)
67%
42%
65-69%
51%
45-49%
42%
(21-22)
≥80%
82%
(2022-23)
8.5%
22.5%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.53
0.60
% American Indian
54%
26%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
2%
7%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
43%
58%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,296 is higher than the state median of $13,053. The school district revenue/student has declined by 21% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,312 is higher than the state median of $12,557. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (SD)
Total Revenue
$5 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$6 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,296
$13,053
Spending / Student
$16,312
$12,557

Best Timber Lake School District 20-3 Public Middle Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Timber Lake Middle School - 03
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Gr: 6-8 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 53%

Recent Articles

Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 3 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 372 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 57%
  • : ≥80% (Btm 50% in SD)
  • : Top 10%
  • : 67% (Top 10%)
  • : 65-69% (Top 10%)
  • : 45-49% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education

Quick Links