ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø

Waubay School District 18-3

202 W School Rd
Waubay, SD 57273
(District boundaries shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Waubay School District 18-3 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:

Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 10%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there is 1 public elementary school serving 77 students in Waubay School District 18-3. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Elementary School in Waubay School District 18-3 have an average math proficiency score of 65% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
495 Schools
# Students
172 Students
100,764 Students
# Teachers
20 Teachers
7,485 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
9:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Waubay School District 18-3, 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 50% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School District
State Average (SD)
#75 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
65%
42%
35-39%
51%
40-49%
42%
(21-22)
<50%
82%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.58
0.55
% American Indian
32%
17%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
n/a
8%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
56%
64%
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
11%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $21,384 is higher than the state median of $13,146. The school district revenue/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,093 is higher than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
This School District
This State (SD)
Total Revenue
$4 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$3 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$21,384
$13,146
Spending / Student
$17,093
$12,647

Best Waubay School District 18-3 ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Elementary Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Waubay Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
202 W School Rd
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Gr: PK-6 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 39%

Recent Articles

Gifted & Talented Programs in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools
Gifted & Talented Programs in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools
Explore opportunities and controversies in gifted & talented programs—equity, outcomes, and models shaping public education in 2025.
Evaluating STEM in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools: A Parent & District Guide
Evaluating STEM in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools: A Parent & District Guide
A guide to evaluating STEM programs in public school districts—metrics, best practices, equity, and 2025 trends for parents and community stakeholders.
Special Education in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools: Understanding IEPs & Services
Special Education in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools: Understanding IEPs & Services
What parents need to know about IEPs, services, rights, and how to get the best support in public schools in 2025.

Quick Facts (2025-26)

  • District size: 3 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 172 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 44%
  • : <50% (Top 50% in SD)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 65% (Top 10%)
  • : 35-39% (Btm 50%)
  • : 40-49% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education

Quick Links