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Willow Lake School District 12-3

Item: Willow Lake School District 12-3
Rating: 3
Author: Public School Review

400 Garfield Ave
Willow Lake, SD 57278

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (605) 625-5945

www.willowlake.k12.sd.us

For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 344 students in Willow Lake School District 12-3. This district's average 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 score of 44% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and 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

726 Schools

# Students

344 Students

146,805 Students

# Teachers

24 Teachers

10,616 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

14:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
Pre-K	15	19
Kind	27	68
1	36	62
2	39	64
3	24	65
4	34	61
5	28	63
6	22	64
7	28	63
8	22	63
9	24	70
10	15	65
11	17	61
12	13	60

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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.

This School District

State Average (SD)

#105 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3
2023	#105
2022	#118
2021	#98
2019	#76
2018	#70
2017	#105
2016	#37
2015	#95
2014	#24
2013	#104
2012	#141

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41%

42%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2023	41%	42%
2022	32%	42%
2021	37%	43%
2019	47%	46%
2018	47%	47%
2017	32%	47%
2016	47%	45%
2015	32%	42%
2014	44%	51%
2013	72%	73%
2012	62%	75%

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40-44%

51%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2022	42%	51%
2021	47%	52%
2019	52%	54%
2018	47%	54%
2017	52%	53%
2016	62%	52%
2015	47%	49%
2014	44%	52%
2013	72%	74%
2012	57%	75%
2011	57%	75%

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20-24%

42%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2022	22%	42%
2021	42%	42%

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(21-22)

≥80%

82%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2022	80%	82%
2021	80%	80%
2020	50%	84%
2019	50%	83%
2018	50%	82%
2017	50%	82%
2016	80%	82%
2015	50%	82%
2014	50%	81%
2013	80%	81%
2012	80%	81%

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(2022-23)

9.6%

22.5%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2023	9.6%	22.5%
2022	6.7%	23.1%
2021	4.3%	20%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.05

0.53

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2023	0.10	0.51
2022	0.10	0.50
2021	0.14	0.50
2020	0.14	0.50
2019	0.14	0.50
2018	0.13	0.47
2017	0.13	0.47
2016	0.09	0.42
2015	0.09	0.41
2014	0.12	0.40
2013	0.07	0.38
2012	0.14	0.38
2011	0.14	0.40
2010	0.15	0.37
2009	0.16	0.38
2008	0.12	0.30
2007	0.13	0.28
2006	0.07	0.34
2005	0.05	0.28
2004	0.11	0.34
2003	0.10	0.32
2002	0.08	0.31
2001	0.05	0.31
2000	0.04	0.27
1999	0.04	0.29
1998	0.03	0.29
1997	0.03	0.29
1996	0.03	0.28
1995	0.04	0.28
1994	0.08	0.27
1993	0.06	0.25

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% American Indian

14%

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2023	2%	14%
2022	3%	14%
2021	3%	14%
2020	3%	16%
2019	3%	16%
2018	3%	16%
2017	3%	16%
2016	1%	12%
2015	1%	11%
2014	2%	11%
2013	2%	11%
2012	3%	12%
2011	3%	17%
2010	4%	16%
2009	5%	17%
2008	4%	12%
2007	3%	11%
2006	4%	17%
2005	3%	11%
2004	4%	16%
2003	4%	16%
2002	2%	15%
2001	2%	15%
2000	1%	14%
1999	2%	14%

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% Asian

n/a

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2007)
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2007	1%	1%
2004	2%	1%
2003	1%	1%
2002	1%	1%
1997	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	2%	1%

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% Hispanic

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2007-2023)
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2023	3%	8%
2022	2%	7%
2021	4%	7%
2020	5%	6%
2019	5%	6%
2018	4%	5%
2017	4%	5%
2016	4%	5%
2015	4%	5%
2014	5%	5%
2013	2%	4%
2012	5%	4%
2011	4%	3%
2010	4%	3%
2009	4%	3%
2008	2%	2%
2007	2%	2%

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% Black

n/a

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2021)
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2021	1%	3%
2007	1%	2%
2002	1%	1%
2001	1%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1997	1%	1%
1994	3%	1%

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% White

97%

66%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2023	95%	68%
2022	95%	69%
2021	92%	69%
2020	92%	69%
2019	92%	69%
2018	93%	71%
2017	93%	71%
2016	95%	75%
2015	95%	76%
2014	93%	77%
2013	96%	78%
2012	92%	78%
2011	93%	76%
2010	92%	78%
2009	91%	77%
2008	94%	83%
2007	93%	84%
2006	96%	80%
2005	97%	84%
2004	94%	80%
2003	95%	81%
2002	96%	82%
2001	97%	82%
2000	98%	86%
1999	97%	83%
1998	99%	83%
1997	98%	83%
1996	98%	84%
1995	98%	84%
1994	96%	84%
1993	96%	86%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

n/a

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $11,297 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,053. The school district revenue/student has declined by 5% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $10,471 is less than the state median of $12,557. The school district spending/student has declined by 10% over four school years.

This School District

This State (SD)

Total Revenue

$4 MM

$1,916 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2023	$4 MM	$6 MM
2022	$3 MM	$5 MM
2021	$4 MM	$6 MM
2020	$3 MM	$5 MM
2019	$3 MM	$5 MM
2018	$3 MM	$5 MM
2017	$3 MM	$5 MM
2016	$3 MM	$4 MM
2015	$2 MM	$4 MM
2014	$3 MM	$4 MM
2012	$3 MM	$4 MM
2011	$2 MM	$4 MM
2010	$2 MM	$4 MM
2009	$2 MM	$3 MM
2008	$2 MM	$3 MM
2007	$2 MM	$3 MM
2006	$2 MM	$3 MM
2005	$2 MM	$3 MM
2004	$2 MM	$3 MM
2003	$2 MM	$2 MM
2002	$2 MM	$2 MM
2001	$2 MM	$2 MM
2000	$2 MM	$2 MM
1999	$2 MM	$2 MM
1998	$1 MM	$2 MM
1997	$1 MM	$2 MM
1996	$1 MM	$2 MM
1995	$1 MM	$2 MM

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Spending

$4 MM

$1,844 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2023	$4 MM	$5 MM
2022	$3 MM	$5 MM
2021	$4 MM	$5 MM
2020	$3 MM	$5 MM
2019	$3 MM	$5 MM
2018	$3 MM	$5 MM
2017	$5 MM	$5 MM
2016	$5 MM	$4 MM
2015	$2 MM	$3 MM
2014	$2 MM	$4 MM
2012	$2 MM	$3 MM
2011	$2 MM	$4 MM
2010	$2 MM	$3 MM
2009	$2 MM	$3 MM
2008	$2 MM	$3 MM
2007	$2 MM	$3 MM
2006	$2 MM	$3 MM
2005	$2 MM	$3 MM
2004	$2 MM	$2 MM
2003	$2 MM	$3 MM
2002	$2 MM	$2 MM
2001	$2 MM	$2 MM
2000	$2 MM	$2 MM
1999	$1 MM	$2 MM
1998	$2 MM	$2 MM
1997	$1 MM	$2 MM
1996	$1 MM	$2 MM
1995	$1 MM	$2 MM

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Revenue / Student

$11,297

$13,053

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2023	$12,031	$15,739
2022	$11,910	$14,965
2021	$13,263	$16,342
2020	$11,910	$14,965
2019	$13,008	$14,816
2018	$13,288	$15,113
2017	$12,504	$15,388
2016	$11,907	$14,130
2015	$9,677	$11,732
2014	$12,314	$11,720
2012	$13,087	$11,685
2011	$10,654	$11,891
2010	$11,571	$11,732
2009	$11,325	$10,941
2008	$10,338	$10,856
2007	$10,659	$10,306
2006	$10,242	$10,049
2005	$9,381	$9,356
2004	$9,113	$8,456
2003	$7,648	$8,337
2002	$7,830	$7,799
2001	$7,800	$7,600
2000	$7,339	$7,183
1999	$6,392	$6,671
1998	$6,069	$5,954
1997	$5,564	$5,709
1995	$5,191	$5,253
1992	$5,070	$4,776

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Spending / Student

$10,471

$12,557

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Willow Lake School District 12-3	South Dakota
2023	$11,152	$14,560
2022	$11,689	$14,171
2021	$12,294	$15,118
2020	$11,689	$14,171
2019	$12,513	$14,567
2018	$12,696	$15,244
2017	$19,157	$14,997
2016	$20,938	$13,890
2015	$10,173	$11,206
2014	$9,837	$11,268
2012	$10,349	$10,790
2011	$11,692	$11,832
2010	$12,164	$11,206
2009	$11,784	$10,706
2008	$10,367	$10,238
2007	$10,805	$9,578
2006	$10,091	$9,559
2005	$8,721	$9,435
2004	$8,552	$8,315
2003	$7,950	$8,840
2002	$8,632	$8,399
2001	$7,536	$8,153
2000	$6,640	$7,670
1999	$5,796	$6,645
1998	$9,571	$5,696
1997	$5,160	$5,234
1995	$4,921	$5,109
1992	$5,172	$5,221

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Best Willow Lake School District 12-3 Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Willow Lake High School - 01

(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

400 Garfield Ave
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%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

19606 Collins Ave.
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945

Gr: K-8 | 16 students

Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.

Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05

(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

19087 413th Ave
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%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

43188 Mayfield Rd
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%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

400 Garfield Ave
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%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

400 Garfield Ave
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 $10,471 is less than the state median of $12,557. The school district spending/student has declined by 10% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 6 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 344 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Minority Enrollment: 3%
: ≥80% (Top 50% in SD)
: Bottom 50%
: 41% (Btm 50%)
: 40-44% (Btm 50%)
: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education