Item: Northwestern Area School District 56-7
Rating: 8
Author: 51����

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Northwestern Area School District 56-7

221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461

( shown in map)

Top 30%

Tel: (605) 887-3467

Top Rankings

Northwestern Area School District 56-7 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:

Overview

This School District

This State (SD)

# Schools

6 Schools

729 Schools

# Students

359 Students

145,763 Students

# Teachers

25 Teachers

10,615 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

14:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
Pre-K	13	18
Kind	28	69
1	26	63
2	12	64
3	25	61
4	14	62
5	15	63
6	28	63
7	20	64
8	26	65
9	29	71
10	36	66
11	41	61
12	46	57

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District Rank

Northwestern Area School District 56-7, 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 50-59% has increased from 50% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (SD)

#42 out of 148 school districts
(Top 30%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7
2023	#42
2022	#40
2021	#35
2019	#65
2018	#70
2017	#54
2016	#61
2015	#43
2013	#38
2012	#95
2011	#94

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52%

42%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	52%	42%
2022	52%	42%
2021	47%	43%
2019	52%	46%
2018	47%	47%
2017	47%	47%
2016	47%	45%
2015	42%	42%
2013	82%	73%
2012	77%	75%
2011	77%	76%

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55-59%

51%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2022	57%	51%
2021	62%	52%
2019	52%	54%
2018	47%	54%
2017	57%	53%
2016	52%	52%
2015	57%	49%
2013	77%	74%
2012	72%	75%
2011	72%	75%
2010	72%	75%

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50-54%

42%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2022	52%	42%
2021	47%	42%

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(21-22)

50-59%

82%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2022	54%	82%
2021	74%	80%
2020	69%	84%
2019	50%	83%
2018	50%	82%
2017	50%	82%
2016	80%	82%
2015	80%	82%
2014	80%	81%
2013	80%	81%
2012	80%	81%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.13

0.53

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	0.11	0.51
2022	0.14	0.50
2021	0.13	0.50
2020	0.10	0.50
2019	0.10	0.50
2018	0.05	0.47
2017	0.05	0.47
2016	0.06	0.42
2015	0.05	0.41
2014	0.05	0.40
2013	0.05	0.38
2012	0.07	0.38
2011	0.08	0.40
2010	0.03	0.37
2009	0.02	0.38
2008	0.02	0.30
2007	0.01	0.28
2006	0.02	0.34
2005	0.01	0.28
2004	0.02	0.34
2003	0.02	0.32
2002	0.04	0.31
2001	0.02	0.31
2000	0.03	0.27
1999	0.05	0.29
1998	0.08	0.29
1997	0.04	0.29
1996	0.05	0.28
1995	0.04	0.28
1994	0.05	0.27
1993	0.03	0.25

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% American Indian

14%

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1996-2023)
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	1%	14%
2022	2%	14%
2021	2%	14%
2020	2%	16%
2019	2%	16%
2016	1%	12%
2015	1%	11%
2014	1%	11%
2011	1%	17%
2010	2%	16%
2009	1%	17%
2008	1%	12%
2006	1%	17%
2005	1%	11%
2002	1%	15%
2001	1%	15%
2000	2%	14%
1999	2%	14%
1998	4%	14%
1997	2%	14%
1996	1%	14%

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% Asian

n/a

% Hispanic

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2011-2023)
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	2%	8%
2021	1%	7%
2013	1%	4%
2012	2%	4%
2011	1%	3%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2002	1%	1%
2001	1%	1%
1999	1%	1%

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% White

93%

67%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	94%	68%
2022	93%	69%
2021	93%	69%
2020	95%	69%
2019	95%	69%
2018	97%	71%
2017	97%	71%
2016	97%	75%
2015	98%	76%
2014	97%	77%
2013	98%	78%
2012	96%	78%
2011	96%	76%
2010	98%	78%
2009	99%	77%
2008	99%	83%
2007	100%	84%
2006	99%	80%
2005	99%	84%
2004	100%	80%
2003	100%	81%
2002	98%	82%
2001	98%	82%
2000	98%	86%
1999	97%	83%
1998	96%	83%
1997	98%	83%
1996	98%	84%
1995	98%	84%
1994	97%	84%
1993	98%	86%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	2%	5%
2022	5%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	3%	4%
2019	3%	4%
2018	2%	3%
2017	2%	3%
2016	2%	3%
2015	1%	3%
2014	2%	2%
2013	1%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $11,515 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,146. The school district revenue/student has declined by 10% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $10,000 is less than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has declined by 10% over four school years.

This School District

This State (SD)

Total Revenue

$4 MM

$1,916 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	$4 MM	$6 MM
2022	$4 MM	$5 MM
2021	$4 MM	$6 MM
2020	$4 MM	$5 MM
2019	$3 MM	$5 MM
2018	$3 MM	$5 MM
2017	$3 MM	$5 MM
2016	$3 MM	$4 MM
2015	$3 MM	$4 MM
2014	$3 MM	$4 MM
2012	$3 MM	$4 MM
2011	$3 MM	$4 MM
2010	$3 MM	$4 MM
2009	$3 MM	$3 MM
2008	$3 MM	$3 MM
2007	$3 MM	$3 MM
2006	$3 MM	$3 MM
2005	$3 MM	$3 MM
2004	$2 MM	$3 MM
2003	$2 MM	$2 MM
2002	$2 MM	$2 MM
2001	$2 MM	$2 MM
2000	$2 MM	$2 MM
1999	$2 MM	$2 MM
1998	$2 MM	$2 MM
1997	$2 MM	$2 MM
1996	$2 MM	$2 MM
1995	$2 MM	$2 MM

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Spending

$4 MM

$1,844 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	$4 MM	$5 MM
2022	$3 MM	$5 MM
2021	$4 MM	$5 MM
2020	$3 MM	$5 MM
2019	$3 MM	$5 MM
2018	$3 MM	$5 MM
2017	$3 MM	$5 MM
2016	$3 MM	$4 MM
2015	$3 MM	$3 MM
2014	$3 MM	$4 MM
2012	$3 MM	$3 MM
2011	$3 MM	$4 MM
2010	$3 MM	$3 MM
2009	$3 MM	$3 MM
2008	$2 MM	$3 MM
2007	$2 MM	$3 MM
2006	$2 MM	$3 MM
2005	$2 MM	$3 MM
2004	$2 MM	$2 MM
2003	$2 MM	$3 MM
2002	$2 MM	$2 MM
2001	$2 MM	$2 MM
2000	$2 MM	$2 MM
1999	$2 MM	$2 MM
1998	$2 MM	$2 MM
1997	$2 MM	$2 MM
1996	$2 MM	$2 MM
1995	$2 MM	$2 MM

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Revenue / Student

$11,515

$13,146

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	$12,304	$15,739
2022	$12,228	$14,965
2021	$12,879	$16,342
2020	$12,228	$14,965
2019	$12,225	$14,816
2018	$12,353	$15,113
2017	$12,181	$15,388
2016	$11,933	$14,130
2015	$13,470	$11,732
2014	$10,871	$11,720
2012	$9,472	$11,685
2011	$9,524	$11,891
2010	$10,352	$11,732
2009	$8,488	$10,941
2008	$9,585	$10,856
2007	$9,185	$10,306
2006	$9,101	$10,049
2005	$8,413	$9,356
2004	$7,548	$8,456
2003	$7,890	$8,337
2002	$7,323	$7,799
2001	$7,211	$7,600
2000	$7,068	$7,183
1999	$6,456	$6,671
1998	$6,037	$5,954
1997	$5,860	$5,709
1995	$5,076	$5,253
1992	$4,090	$4,776

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Spending / Student

$10,000

$12,647

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Northwestern Area School District 56-7	South Dakota
2023	$10,685	$14,560
2022	$10,596	$14,171
2021	$11,184	$15,118
2020	$10,596	$14,171
2019	$11,364	$14,567
2018	$11,707	$15,244
2017	$13,378	$14,997
2016	$11,728	$13,890
2015	$11,116	$11,206
2014	$9,971	$11,268
2012	$8,441	$10,790
2011	$9,145	$11,832
2010	$8,543	$11,206
2009	$7,973	$10,706
2008	$8,455	$10,238
2007	$8,317	$9,578
2006	$7,837	$9,559
2005	$7,061	$9,435
2004	$7,473	$8,315
2003	$7,026	$8,840
2002	$7,265	$8,399
2001	$7,337	$8,153
2000	$7,840	$7,670
1999	$6,110	$6,645
1998	$5,626	$5,696
1997	$5,567	$5,234
1995	$4,994	$5,109
1992	$4,158	$5,221

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Best Northwestern Area School District 56-7 51��s (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Northwestern High School - 01

(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467

Gr: 9-12 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 3%

Rank: #22.

Northwestern Middle School - 02

(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467

Gr: 6-8 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%

Rank: #33.

Northwestern Elementary - 04

(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467

Gr: PK-5 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%

Rank: #44.

Isucceed - 92

(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467

Gr: 9-12 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 64:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

Rank: n/an/a

Hutterville Colony Elementary - 06

Add to Compare

14625 401st Ave
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 396-7497

Gr: K-8 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1

Rank: n/an/a

Isucceed Middle School - 93

Add to Compare

221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467

Gr: 6-8 | 7 students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Northwestern Area School District 56-7?

Northwestern Area School District 56-7 manages 6 public schools serving 359 students.

What is the rank of Northwestern Area School District 56-7?

Northwestern Area School District 56-7 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 science proficiency (Top 20%)

What is the racial composition of students in Northwestern Area School District 56-7?

93% of Northwestern Area School District 56-7 students are White, 3% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Black.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Northwestern Area School District 56-7?

Northwestern Area School District 56-7 has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is equal to the South Dakota state average of 14:1.

What is Northwestern Area School District 56-7's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $10,000 is less than the state median of $12,647. The school district spending/student has declined by 10% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

District size: 6 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 359 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Minority Enrollment: 7%
: 50-59% (Top 50% in SD)
: Top 30%
: 52% (Top 30%)
: 55-59% (Top 30%)
: 50-54% (Top 20%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education