Top Rankings
Howard School District 48-3 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 10%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public middle schools serving 99 students in Howard School District 48-3. This district's average middle testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public middle schools in South Dakota.
Public Middle Schools in Howard School District 48-3 have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 60% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 4% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), 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
295 Schools
# Students
328 Students
40,126 Students
# Teachers
26 Teachers
2,993 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Howard School District 48-3, which is ranked within the top 10% 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 80% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#13 out of 148 school districts
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥80%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.07
0.59
% American Indian
1%
26%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
3%
7%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
96%
58%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,021 is higher than the state median of $13,146. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,625 is higher than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$6 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$5 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,021
$13,146
Spending / Student
$15,625
$12,647
Best Howard School District 48-3 Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Howard Jr. High - 05
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 N Section Line
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Gr: 6-8 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Shannon Colony Elementary - 08
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
43945 235th St.
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 772-4443
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 772-4443
Gr: K-8 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Recent Articles
51±¬ÁÏ Transportation & Commute Planning Guide
Learn how public school transportation and commute planning can help families prepare for the coming school year safely and efficiently.
New 51±¬ÁÏ Safety Protocols 2025–26 Guide
Learn how new public school safety protocols for 2025–26 affect students, parents, and schools nationwide.
How Technology Transforms Education in 2025
Explore how technology shapes learning today, with updated data, policy context, trends, and real-world implications for students, educators, and families.
