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Box Elder, South DakotaPhoto: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0
B−
Schools in Box Elder · Douglas School District 51-1

Box Elder’s public schools outscore 53% of South Dakota districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Box Elder, 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.

#21of 35 South Dakota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From South Dakota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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
51%
▲ 0 pts vs SD 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
39%
▼ 3 pts vs SD 42%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▲ 1–5 pts vs SD 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.2K
▼ 6% vs SD $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.6
SD 13.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
4
2,808 students on the public path
In brief

Box Elder’s schools, in brief

Above the state in reading, below in math

Reading proficiency is 51% and math 39% in spring 2022, against 51% and 42% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,211 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 Douglas Middle School - 01, then Douglas High School - 03. 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 Box Elder’s grade

C+ Test scoresB− Graduation

B−: better than 53% of South Dakota school districts, #21 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 53%
Lower resultsHigher results
South Dakota towns with similar household incomes (340)Better than 49%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,449 test results and a graduating class of 182 could put Box Elder anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Box Elder’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,450 in math, 1,448 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–3Patriot Elementary -06Douglas School District 51-1C+
6–8Douglas Middle School - 01Douglas School District 51-1C−
9–12Douglas High School - 03Douglas School District 51-1A−

Box Elder’s public schools are run by Douglas School District 51-1. Parts of Box Elder (10% of its land) are served by Rapid City School District 51-4 instead. 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.

Douglas School District 51-1Grades PK–12 · 4 schools · 2,808 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 15.6 per teacher (SD 13.7)
$12,211SD $13,040 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading51%
State average 51% · 1448 students tested
Math39%
State average 42.2% · 1450 students tested

Box Elder vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Box Elder’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Box ElderB−Douglas School District 51-1
Rapid CityCRapid City School District 51-4

Every school in Box Elder

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 Box Elderby address
Patriot Elementary -06
Elementary · Grades PK–3
C+
982 students16:1Rate it →
Vandenberg Elementary - 02
Elementary · Grades 4–5
C+
454 students15:1Rate it →
Douglas Middle School - 01
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
633 students14:1Rate it →
Douglas High School - 03
High · Grades 9–12
A−
739 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Box Elder’s schools

Are Box Elder’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of South Dakota: the public schools Box Elder children attend outscore 53% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #21 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 49%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Box Elder in?

Douglas School District 51-1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,808 students in 4 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Box Elder are served by Rapid City School District 51-4.

Where do Box Elder kids go to high school?

Douglas High School - 03, with 739 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Box Elder’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Douglas School District 51-1 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.

How much does Box Elder spend per student?

$12,211 in Douglas School District 51-1 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Box Elder families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Box Elder → 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.