Tea Area High School is a high school located in Tea, South Dakota. Tea High School originated in 1879 with the building of the first schoolhouse. There was an enrollment of 11 pupils and first teacher was Mr. Mahor.
Serving 717 students in grades 9-12, Tea Area High School - 03 ranks in the top 50% of all schools in South Dakota for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40-44% (which is approximately equal to the South Dakota state average of 42%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60-64% (which is higher than the South Dakota state average of 51%).
The student-teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the South Dakota state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 717 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 14%
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 5% in SD)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 40-44% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 60-64% (Top 30%)
- Science Proficiency: 45-49% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: TEA AREA HIGH SCHOOL's attendance zone encompasses the entire school district of Tea, SD, covering approximately 22.6 square miles. The typical drive to the school takes about 10-12 minutes, with the furthest edge of the zone being 5.6 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Tea Area High School - 03 ranks among the top 20% of public schools in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Tea Area High School - 03's student population of 717 students has grown by 40% over five school years.
The teacher population of 37 teachers has grown by 15% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
717 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
37 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
2003
School Calendar
School Rankings
Tea Area High School - 03 ranks within the top 50% of all 619 schools in South Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Tea Area High School - 03 is 0.26, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.53. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#243 out of 619 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
42%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
51%
Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
42%
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
12:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
14%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
2%
Hispanic
5%
9%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
Black
3%
3%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
White
86%
66%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
4%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
≥95%
84%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)13%
22.5%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
12%
34%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
7%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Blue, Gold
School Mascot
Titans
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tea Area High School - 03's ranking?
Tea Area High School - 03 is ranked #243 out of 619 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40-44% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 42% SD state average), while 60-64% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 51% SD state average).
What is the graduation rate of Tea Area High School - 03?
The graduation rate of Tea Area High School - 03 is 95%, which is higher than the South Dakota state average of 84%.
How many students attend Tea Area High School - 03?
717 students attend Tea Area High School - 03.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
86% of Tea Area High School - 03 students are White, 5% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Black, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Tea Area High School - 03?
Tea Area High School - 03 has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the South Dakota state average of 12:1.
What grades does Tea Area High School - 03 offer ?
Tea Area High School - 03 offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Tea Area High School - 03 part of?
Tea Area High School - 03 is part of Tea Area School District 41-5.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
This is the worst school in South Dakota. The principle is worthless and so is his little maid. If I were you I would never send any of your kids to Tea Area High school. They treat you like your 10 years younger than you really are. Also if someone asked me what I learned from this school would be how to mess around rather than any preparing for the real world.
5 10/10/2025
I loved my time at tea, the class size is small enough where almost everyone in my grade was friends with everyone else, all of the extracurricular activities are top notch, especially band and basketball, and the teachers are all easy to talk to, even for the more shy kids
Review Tea Area High School - 03. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
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.
