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Narrow building in Belle FourchePhoto: Bradleygee · CC BY-SA 2.0
C
Schools in Belle Fourche · Belle Fourche School District 09-1

Belle Fourche’s public schools score below 69% of South Dakota districts on tests and graduation

30% of students in Belle Fourche’s public schools are proficient in math, below the South Dakota average (42%). The grade covers the public school district serving Belle Fourche, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within South Dakota, not nationally.

#28of 35 South Dakota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From South Dakota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
43%
▼ 8 pts vs SD 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
30%
▼ 12 pts vs SD 42%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▲ 1–5 pts vs SD 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.5K
▼ 12% vs SD $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.9
SD 13.7 · smaller classes
Schools in town
4
1,239 students on the public path
In brief

Belle Fourche’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 43% of tested students were proficient in reading and 30% in math, against 51% and 42% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota (the state reports Belle Fourche’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,481 per student, against $13,040 across South Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 1 the district’s path is South Park Elementary - 03, then Belle Fourche Middle School - 07, then Belle Fourche High School - 01. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Belle Fourche’s grade

C− Test scoresB− Graduation

C: better than 31% of South Dakota school districts, #28 of 35 South Dakota towns. Graduation is above the South Dakota average; test scores are below it.

South Dakota school districts we grade (147)Better than 31%
Lower resultsHigher results
South Dakota towns with similar household incomes (311)Better than 29%
CC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 708 test results and a graduating class of 125 could put Belle Fourche anywhere from C to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Belle Fourche’s students in the tested grades sat them (709 in math, 708 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Belle Fourche, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
KNorth Park Elementary - 08Belle Fourche School District 09-1No scores
1–4South Park Elementary - 03Belle Fourche School District 09-1C
5–8Belle Fourche Middle School - 07Belle Fourche School District 09-1C−
9–12Belle Fourche High School - 01Belle Fourche School District 09-1B

Belle Fourche’s public schools are run by Belle Fourche School District 09-1, which also serves Fruitdale and St. Onge. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Belle Fourche School District 09-1Grades K–12 · 4 schools · 1,239 students, down 7% since 2020–21 · 12.9 per teacher (SD 13.7)
$11,481SD $13,040 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading43%
State average 51% · 708 students tested
Math30%
State average 42.2% · 709 students tested

Belle Fourche vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Belle Fourche’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Belle FourcheCBelle Fourche School District 09-1

Every school in Belle Fourche

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with South Dakota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Belle Fourcheby address
North Park Elementary - 08
Elementary · Grades K
89 students11:1Rate it →
South Park Elementary - 03
Elementary · Grades 1–4
C
347 students12:1Rate it →
Belle Fourche Middle School - 07
Middle · Grades 5–8
C−
414 students14:1Rate it →
Belle Fourche High School - 01
High · Grades 9–12
B
389 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Belle Fourche’s schools

Are Belle Fourche’s schools good?

On South Dakota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Belle Fourche children attend score below 69% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #28 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 29%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Belle Fourche in?

Belle Fourche School District 09-1, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 1,239 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Belle Fourche kids go to high school?

Belle Fourche High School - 01, with 389 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Belle Fourche’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Belle Fourche School District 09-1 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.

How much does Belle Fourche spend per student?

$11,481 in Belle Fourche School District 09-1 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Belle Fourche families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Belle Fourche → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within South Dakota. Stars are from neighbors.