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 preschool serving 77 students in Waubay School District 18-3. This district's average pre testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public pre schools in South Dakota.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Preschool in Waubay School District 18-3 have an average math proficiency score of 65% (versus the South Dakota public pre school average of 44%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public preschool average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
145 Schools
# Students
172 Students
30,673 Students
# Teachers
20 Teachers
2,364 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.
Overall District Rank
#75 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
65%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-49%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)<50%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.58
0.54
% American Indian
32%
13%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
n/a
9%
% Black
n/a
5%
% White
56%
66%
% 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.
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 Preschools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Waubay Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
202 W School Rd
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Gr: PK-6 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Recent Articles

10 Major Challenges Facing ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools in 2025
Explore the 10 biggest challenges facing U.S. public schools in 2025, from funding shortages to mental health and technology gaps.

Broward County School Bus Service Update 2025
A 2025 review of Broward County public school bus service: challenges, innovations, and what parents should know.

Failures of U.S. ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Education in 2025
Explore the 15 biggest failures of the American public education system in 2025, with updated data, expert insights, and real-world examples.