Top Rankings
Dakota Valley School District 61-8 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 1%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there is 1 public middle school serving 341 students in Dakota Valley School District 61-8. This district's average middle testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public middle schools in South Dakota.
Public Middle School in Dakota Valley School District 61-8 have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public middle school average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
4 Schools
297 Schools
# Students
1,386 Students
40,141 Students
# Teachers
88 Teachers
2,999 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Dakota Valley School District 61-8, 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 95% has increased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#38 out of 148 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
42%
Graduation Rate
≥95%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.43
0.59
% American Indian
2%
26%
% Asian
3%
1%
% Hispanic
11%
7%
% Black
2%
3%
% White
75%
58%
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,118 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,740 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$18 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$15 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,118
$13,121
Spending / Student
$10,740
$12,623
Best Dakota Valley School District 61-8 Public Middle Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Dakota Valley Middle School - 03
(Math: 47% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1150 Northshore Dr
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3830
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3830
Grades: 6-8
| 341 students
Recent Articles

Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.

2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.

Will Single Sex Classrooms Save 51爆料s?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.