Top Rankings
Harding County School District 31-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 159 students in Harding County School District 31-1. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
Public Elementary Schools in Harding County School District 31-1 have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 60% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 3% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
497 Schools
# Students
221 Students
101,009 Students
# Teachers
21 Teachers
7,507 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Harding County School District 31-1, 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.
The school district's graduation rate of 50% has decreased from 80% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#27 out of 148 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(22-23)57%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-59%
42%
Graduation Rate
≥50%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.05
0.55
% American Indian
n/a
17%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
1%
8%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
97%
64%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $21,719 is higher than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has declined by 12% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,991 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has declined by 12% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$5 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$21,719
$13,121
Spending / Student
$17,991
$12,623
Best Harding County School District 31-1 Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Harding County Middle School - 03
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
12474 Tipperary St
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Grades: 6-8
| 58 students
Rank: #22.
Buffalo Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
12474 Tipperary St
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Grades: K-5
| 101 students
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