White River School District 47-1

501 E 3rd St
White River, SD 57579
(District boundaries shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

White River School District 47-1 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 2025 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 416 students in White River School District 47-1. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in White River School District 47-1 have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
4 Schools
734 Schools
# Students
416 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
41 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
10:1
10:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

White River School District 47-1, 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 70% has decreased from 80% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (SD)
#141 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(22-23)
13%
42%
29%
51%
15-19%
42%
(22-23)
70%
82%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.36
0.53
% American Indian
79%
14%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
1%
8%
% Black
1%
3%
% White
11%
67%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $17,608 is higher than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,981 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (SD)
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$7 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,608
$13,121
Spending / Student
$15,981
$12,623

Best White River School District 47-1 Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
White River High School - 01
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
501 E 3rd St
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3136
Grades: 9-12
| 118 students
Rank: #22.
White River Middle School - 04
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
501 E 3rd St
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3135
Grades: 6-8
| 88 students
Rank: #33.
Norris Elementary - 08
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
331 School Loop
White River, SD 57579
(605) 462-6455
Grades: K-5
| 46 students
Rank: #44.
White River Elementary - 02
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
501 E 3rd St
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3137
Grades: PK-5
| 164 students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to White River School District 47-1?
White River School District 47-1 manages 4 public schools serving 416 students.
What is the rank of White River School District 47-1?
White River School District 47-1 is ranked #139 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (bottom 50%) 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: Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in White River School District 47-1?
79% of White River School District 47-1 students are American Indian, 11% of students are White, 8% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of White River School District 47-1?
White River School District 47-1 has a student/teacher ratio of 10:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is White River School District 47-1's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $15,981 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 4 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 416 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 10:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 89%
  • : 70% (Btm 50% in SD)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 13% (Btm 50%)
  • : 29% (Btm 50%)
  • : 15-19% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education

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