For the 2026-27 school year, there is 1 public preschool serving 153 students in Willow Lake School District 12-3. This district's average pre testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in South Dakota.
Public Preschool in Willow Lake School District 12-3 have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the South Dakota public pre school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 3% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public preschool average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
6 Schools
148 Schools
# Students
344 Students
32,407 Students
# Teachers
24 Teachers
2,479 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%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥80%
82%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)9.6%
22.5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.05
0.53
% American Indian
1%
13%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
2%
10%
% Black
n/a
4%
% White
97%
66%
% 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
Spending
$6 MM
$2,227 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,177
$14,736
Spending / Student
$16,201
$15,173
Best Willow Lake School District 12-3 Public Preschools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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%
Recent Articles
School Leadership Matters: Evaluating a Principal
Learn how to evaluate a public school principal before enrolling by examining leadership stability, teacher support, communication, school culture, instructional priorities, discipline, family engagement, and measurable improvement efforts.
Comparing Before- and After-School Programs
Learn how to compare before- and after-school programs when choosing a public school, including hours, costs, staffing, safety, activities, enrollment rules, transportation, meals, and daily convenience for families.
Choosing a Public School During Budget Uncertainty
Learn which questions parents should ask when choosing a public school during budget uncertainty, including staffing, programs, class sizes, transportation, reserves, enrollment trends, and planned reductions ahead.
