For the 2026-27 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 344 students in Willow Lake School District 12-3. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Willow Lake School District 12-3 have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 3% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
6 Schools
724 Schools
# Students
344 Students
146,776 Students
# Teachers
24 Teachers
10,614 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Willow Lake School District 12-3, 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 80% has increased from 50% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#105 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
42%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥80%
82%
Showing 2013–2022. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)9.6%
22.5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.05
0.53
Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
1%
14%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
2%
9%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
n/a
3%
Showing 1994–2021. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
% White
97%
66%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,177 in this school district is less 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 $16,201 is higher than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has grown by 38% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$5 MM
$2,163 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$6 MM
$2,227 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$13,177
$14,736
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$16,201
$15,173
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Willow Lake School District 12-3 Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Willow Lake High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
400 Garfield Ave
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Gr: 9-12 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Collins Colony Elementary - 06
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
19606 Collins Ave.
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Gr: K-8 | 16 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
19087 413th Ave
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Gr: K-8 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #44.
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: <50% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
43188 Mayfield Rd
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Gr: K-8 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Rank: #55.
Willow Lake Middle School - 03
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
400 Garfield Ave
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Gr: 6-8 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #66.
Willow Lake Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 Garfield Ave
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Gr: PK-5 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Willow Lake School District 12-3?
Willow Lake School District 12-3 manages 6 public schools serving 344 students.
What is the rank of Willow Lake School District 12-3?
Willow Lake School District 12-3 is ranked #82 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 Willow Lake School District 12-3?
97% of Willow Lake School District 12-3 students are White, 2% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Willow Lake School District 12-3?
Willow Lake School District 12-3 has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is equal to the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Willow Lake School District 12-3's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $16,201 is higher than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has grown by 38% over four school years.
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