Top Rankings
Douglas School District 51-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 2,808 students in Douglas School District 51-1. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Douglas School District 51-1 have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
4 Schools
727 Schools
# Students
2,808 Students
146,864 Students
# Teachers
180 Teachers
10,621 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Douglas School District 51-1, 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 87% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#95 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
42%
Graduation Rate
87%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.54
0.53
% American Indian
8%
14%
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
12%
9%
% Black
2%
3%
% White
65%
66%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
12%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,067 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,047. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,525 is less than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$34 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$30 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,067
$13,047
Spending / Student
$10,525
$12,552
Best Douglas School District 51-1 Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Patriot Elementary -06
(Math: 56% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
421 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Gr: PK-3 | 982 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #22.
Douglas High School - 03
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
420 Patriot Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0030
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0030
Gr: 9-12 | 739 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #33.
Vandenberg Elementary - 02
(Math: 42% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
561 Briggs St
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0060
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0060
Gr: 4-5 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
Douglas Middle School - 01
(Math: 28% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
691 Tower Rd
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0050
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0050
Gr: 6-8 | 633 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Douglas School District 51-1?
Douglas School District 51-1 manages 4 public schools serving 2,808 students.
What is the rank of Douglas School District 51-1?
Douglas School District 51-1 is ranked #86 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of South Dakota school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 10%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Douglas School District 51-1?
65% of Douglas School District 51-1 students are White, 12% of students are Hispanic, 12% of students are Two or more races, 8% of students are American Indian, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Douglas School District 51-1?
Douglas School District 51-1 has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Douglas School District 51-1's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $10,525 is less than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
Recent Articles
How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
Learn how public schools train staff each year through professional development, safety training, technology instruction, and ongoing educational support.
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
Discover what substitute teachers experience in public schools, including daily responsibilities, challenges, rewards, and their role in student success.
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
Learn how teachers collaborate across departments to improve student outcomes, strengthen instruction, and prepare students for real-world success.
