Top Rankings
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public high schools serving 152 students in Northwestern Area School District 56-7. This district's average high testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public high schools in South Dakota.
ÎÛÎÛÂþ» High Schools in Northwestern Area School District 56-7 have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the South Dakota public high school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 63% statewide average).
ÎÛÎÛÂþ» High School in Northwestern Area School District 56-7 have a Graduation Rate of 52%, which is less than the South Dakota average of 81%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Northwestern High School - 01, with ≥80% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Dakota or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority American Indian and Black), which is less than the South Dakota public high school average of 35% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
6 Schools
218 Schools
# Students
359 Students
47,000 Students
# Teachers
25 Teachers
3,332 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
District Rank
Northwestern Area School District 56-7, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 146 school districts in South Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 50-59% has increased from 50% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#40 out of 148 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
42%
Graduation Rate
50-59%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.13
0.54
# American Indian Students
5 Students
8,926 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
19%
# Asian Students
n/a
669 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
1%
# Hispanic Students
6 Students
3,395 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
7%
# Black Students
4 Students
1,382 Students
% Black Students
1%
3%
# White Students
335 Students
30,421 Students
% White Students
93%
65%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
65 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
9 Students
2,142 Students
% of Two or more races Students
3%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
13
35
# Students in K Grade:
28
247
# Students in 1st Grade:
26
370
# Students in 2nd Grade:
12
358
# Students in 3rd Grade:
25
247
# Students in 4th Grade:
14
245
# Students in 5th Grade:
15
270
# Students in 6th Grade:
28
336
# Students in 7th Grade:
20
409
# Students in 8th Grade:
26
466
# Students in 9th Grade:
29
12,230
# Students in 10th Grade:
36
11,381
# Students in 11th Grade:
41
10,546
# Students in 12th Grade:
46
9,860
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,515 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has declined by 10% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,000 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has declined by 10% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$4 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,515
$13,121
Spending / Student
$10,000
$12,623
Best Northwestern Area School District 56-7 ÎÛÎÛÂþ» High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Northwestern High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Grades: 9-12
| 88 students
Rank: #22.
Isucceed - 92
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Grades: 9-12
| 64 students
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