Big Sioux Township’s public schools outscore 82% of South Dakota districts
Reading proficiency in Big Sioux Township’s districts is 64%, above the South Dakota average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Big Sioux Township, 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.
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.
Big Sioux Township’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 64% and math 48% in spring 2022, against 51% and 42% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,808 per student, against $13,040 across South Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Dakota Valley Middle School - 03, then Dakota Valley High School - 01. 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.
What’s behind Big Sioux Township’s grade
A−: better than 82% of South Dakota school districts, #5 of 35 South Dakota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the South Dakota average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Big Sioux Township, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley Elementary - 02
Grades K–3 · 386 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
1st grade in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley Elementary - 02
Grades K–3 · 386 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
2nd grade in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley Elementary - 02
Grades K–3 · 386 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
3rd grade in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley Elementary - 02
Grades K–3 · 386 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
4th grade in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04
Grades 4–5 · 179 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
5th grade in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04
Grades 4–5 · 179 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
6th grade in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley Middle School - 03
Grades 6–8 · 345 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
7th grade in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley Middle School - 03
Grades 6–8 · 345 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
8th grade in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley Middle School - 03
Grades 6–8 · 345 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
9th grade in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 431 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
10th grade in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 431 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
11th grade in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 431 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
12th grade in Big Sioux Township
Dakota Valley High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 431 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in North Sioux City
Big Sioux Township’s public schools are run by Dakota Valley School District 61-8, which also serves Jefferson and North Sioux City. 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.
Well above the state in reading
Big Sioux Township vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Big Sioux Township’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sioux Township | A− | Dakota Valley School District 61-8 |
| North Sioux City | A− | Dakota Valley School District 61-8 |
| Jefferson | B+ | Elk Point-Jefferson School District 61-7 K–12 · Dakota Valley School District 61-8 K–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Dakota Valley School District 61-8 with Big Sioux Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts. Sioux City, IA borders Big Sioux Township but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Big Sioux Township
3 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).
Questions about Big Sioux Township’s schools
Are Big Sioux Township’s schools good?
By South Dakota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Big Sioux Township children attend outscore 82% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #5 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 81%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Big Sioux Township in?
Dakota Valley School District 61-8, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 1,341 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
Where do Big Sioux Township kids go to high school?
Dakota Valley High School - 01 in North Sioux City, with 431 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Big Sioux Township’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Dakota Valley School District 61-8 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.
How much does Big Sioux Township spend per student?
$11,808 in Dakota Valley School District 61-8 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Big Sioux Township families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Big Sioux Township → 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.