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Chester Area School District 39-1

102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(District boundaries shown in map)
6/
10
Top 50%
For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 542 students in Chester Area School District 39-1. This district's average testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools in Chester Area School District 39-1 have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (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 33% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
7 Schools
734 Schools
# Students
542 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
38 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Chester Area School District 39-1, which is ranked within the top 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 15% has decreased from 30-34% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (SD)
#61 out of 148 school districts
(Top 50%)
(22-23)
45%
42%
54%
51%
45-49%
42%
(22-23)
15%
82%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.05
0.53
% American Indian
n/a
14%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
1%
8%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
97%
67%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,376 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,550 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
This School District
This State (SD)
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$6 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,376
$13,121
Spending / Student
$10,550
$12,623

Best Chester Area School District 39-1 ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Chester High School - 01
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Grades: 9-12
| 103 students
Rank: #22.
Chester Elementary -02
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Grades: PK-5
| 148 students
Rank: #33.
Chester Area Cyber School - 92
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
500 5th St
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Grades: 9-12
| 101 students
Rank: #44.
Chester Middle School - 03
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Grades: 6-8
| 69 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Graceville Colony - 07
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
23843 - 446a Ave
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-2267
Grades: K-8
| 21 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
High Plains - 06
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
500 5th St
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Grades: 9-12
| 61 students
Rank: #77.
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
24243 456th Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Grades: K-8
| 39 students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Chester Area School District 39-1?
Chester Area School District 39-1 manages 7 public schools serving 542 students.
What is the rank of Chester Area School District 39-1?
Chester Area School District 39-1 is ranked #45 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 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 Chester Area School District 39-1?
97% of Chester Area School District 39-1 students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Chester Area School District 39-1?
Chester Area School District 39-1 has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is equal to the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Chester Area School District 39-1's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $10,550 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 7 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 542 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 3%
  • : 15% (Btm 50% in SD)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 45% (Top 50%)
  • : 54% (Top 50%)
  • : 45-49% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education

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