Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0Custer’s public schools outscore 61% of South Dakota districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Custer, 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 97% 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.
Custer’s schools, in brief
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 51% and math 41% in spring 2022, against 51% and 42% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,511 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 7 the district’s path is Custer Jr. High - 05, then Custer 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 Custer’s grade
B: better than 61% of South Dakota school districts. Graduation is above the South Dakota average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Custer, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Custer
Custer Elementary - 02
Grades PK–6 · 269 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Custer
Custer Jr. High - 05
Grades 7–8 · 101 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Custer
Custer Jr. High - 05
Grades 7–8 · 101 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Custer
Custer High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 272 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Custer
Custer High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 272 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Custer
Custer High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 272 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Custer’s public schools are run by Custer School District 16-1, which also serves Fairburn, Hermosa and Pringle. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Custer vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Custer’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Custer | B | Custer School District 16-1 |
Every school in Custer
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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (A.C.E. High Academy - 06).
Questions about Custer’s schools
Are Custer’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of South Dakota: the public schools Custer children attend outscore 61% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 59%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Custer in?
Custer School District 16-1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 887 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Custer kids go to high school?
Custer High School - 01, with 272 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Custer’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Custer School District 16-1 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.
How much does Custer spend per student?
$16,511 in Custer School District 16-1 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Custer families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Custer → 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.