For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public elementary schools serving 166 students in Wessington Springs School District 36-2. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
Public Elementary Schools in Wessington Springs School District 36-2 have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 2% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
7 Schools
495 Schools
# Students
429 Students
100,764 Students
# Teachers
28 Teachers
7,485 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Wessington Springs School District 36-2, 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 35% has decreased from 60-79% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#91 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
42%
Graduation Rate
35%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.06
0.55
% American Indian
1%
17%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
2%
8%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
97%
64%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,981 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,146. The school district revenue/student has declined by 8% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,331 is less than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$6 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$5 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,981
$13,146
Spending / Student
$11,331
$12,647
Best Wessington Springs School District 36-2 Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Wessington Springs Elementary - 02
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
904 2nd St Ne
Wessington Springs, SD 57382
(605) 539-1754
Wessington Springs, SD 57382
(605) 539-1754
Gr: PK-6 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #22.
Spring Valley Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
23064 365th Ave
Wessington Springs, SD 57382
(605) 539-9311
Wessington Springs, SD 57382
(605) 539-9311
Gr: K-8 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Rank: n/an/a
904 2nd St Ne
Wessington Springs, SD 57382
(605) 539-9500
Wessington Springs, SD 57382
(605) 539-9500
Gr: K-6 | 7 students
Recent Articles
Understanding School Safety Policies in 2026
Learn how school safety policies are evolving in 2026, including mental health support, AI monitoring, emergency planning, and parent rights.
How to Support Your Child’s Mental Health at School
Practical guidance for parents and educators on supporting child mental health during the school year, with expert strategies and 2026 insights.
What a National Blue Ribbon of Distinction Means in 2026
Understand what a National Blue Ribbon of Distinction means, how schools earn it, and why it matters for academic quality in 2026.
