For the 2026-27 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 420 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 17% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
4 Schools
724 Schools
# Students
420 Students
146,776 Students
# Teachers
41 Teachers
10,614 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.
Overall District Rank
#142 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
13%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
15-19%
42%
Graduation Rate
70%
84%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)34.2%
22.5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.34
0.53
% American Indian
80%
14%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
1%
9%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
12%
66%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $22,390 is higher than the state median of $14,736. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,207 is higher than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$9 MM
$2,163 MM
Spending
$9 MM
$2,227 MM
Revenue / Student
$22,390
$14,736
Spending / Student
$20,207
$15,173
Best White River School District 47-1 Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Norris Elementary - 08
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
331 School Loop
White River, SD 57579
(605) 462-6455
White River, SD 57579
(605) 462-6455
Gr: K-5 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: #22.
White River High School - 01
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
501 E 3rd St
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3136
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3136
Gr: 9-12 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #33.
White River Middle School - 04
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
501 E 3rd St
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3135
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3135
Gr: 6-8 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #44.
White River Elementary - 02
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
501 E 3rd St
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3137
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3137
Gr: PK-5 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
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 420 students.
What is the rank of White River School District 47-1?
White River School District 47-1 is ranked #140 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.
What is the racial composition of students in White River School District 47-1?
80% of White River School District 47-1 students are American Indian, 12% of students are White, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
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 $20,207 is higher than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
