South Central School District 26-5

401 Birdsell St
Bonesteel, SD 57317
(District boundaries shown in map)
7/
10
Top 50%

Top Rankings

South Central School District 26-5 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:

Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public schools serving 52 students in South Central School District 26-5. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in South Central School District 26-5 have an average math proficiency score of 70% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
2 Schools
727 Schools
# Students
52 Students
146,864 Students
# Teachers
7 Teachers
10,621 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

South Central School District 26-5, 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 2022-2023 school year.
This School District
State Average (SD)
#48 out of 148 school districts
(Top 50%)
70%
42%
40-59%
51%
≥50%
42%
(17-18)
≥50%
82%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.49
0.53
% American Indian
37%
14%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
n/a
9%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
61%
66%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $30,135 is higher than the state median of $13,047. The school district revenue/student has grown by 100% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $32,712 is higher than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has grown by 52% over four school years.
This School District
This State (SD)
Total Revenue
$2 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$2 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student (18-19)
$30,135
$13,047
Spending / Student (18-19)
$32,712
$12,552

Best South Central School District 26-5 Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
South Central Elementary - 03
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
401 Birdsell St
Bonesteel, SD 57317
(605) 654-2314
Gr: PK-5 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: n/an/a
900 Washington St
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2645
Gr: 6-12

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to South Central School District 26-5?
South Central School District 26-5 manages 2 public schools serving 52 students.
What is the rank of South Central School District 26-5?
South Central School District 26-5 is ranked #43 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 30%) 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 math proficiency (Top 5%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in South Central School District 26-5?
61% of South Central School District 26-5 students are White, 37% of students are American Indian, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of South Central School District 26-5?
South Central School District 26-5 has a student/teacher ratio of 7:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is South Central School District 26-5's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $32,712 is higher than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has grown by 52% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 2 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 52 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 38%
  • : ≥50%
  • : Top 50% in SD
  • : 70% (Top 5%)
  • : 40-59% (Btm 50%)
  • : ≥50% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education

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