Top Rankings
Waubay School District 18-3 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 10%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there is 1 public elementary school serving 88 students in Waubay School District 18-3. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
Public Elementary School in Waubay School District 18-3 have an average math proficiency score of 65% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
494 Schools
# Students
177 Students
101,278 Students
# Teachers
20 Teachers
7,454 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
9:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Waubay School District 18-3, 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 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 50% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#75 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
65%
42%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
51%
Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-49%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)<50%
82%
Showing 2013–2022. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)32.8%
22.5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.56
Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
32%
16%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
1%
9%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
58%
64%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
9%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $26,017 is higher than the state median of $14,736. The school district revenue/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $22,181 is higher than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$5 MM
$2,163 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$4 MM
$2,227 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$26,017
$14,736
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$22,181
$15,173
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Waubay School District 18-3 Public Elementary Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Waubay Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
202 W School Rd
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Gr: PK-6 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
