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C+
Schools in Fort Thompson · Chamberlain School District 07-1

Fort Thompson’s public schools score below 62% of South Dakota districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Fort Thompson, 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.

K–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
46%
▼ 5 pts vs SD 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
38%
▼ 4 pts vs SD 42%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–89%
▼ 4–5 pts vs SD 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.9K
▲ 7% vs SD $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.6
SD 13.7 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
858 students on the public path
In brief

Fort Thompson’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 142 South Dakota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Fort Thompson’s, its schools beat 43%, higher than their 38% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 38% in math, against 51% and 42% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota (the state reports Fort Thompson’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,940 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 Chamberlain Jr. High - 02, then Chamberlain 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Fort Thompson’s grade

C Test scoresC Graduation

C+: better than 38% of South Dakota school districts. Graduation is above the South Dakota average; test scores are below it.

South Dakota school districts we grade (147)Better than 38%
Lower resultsHigher results
South Dakota towns with similar household incomes (142)Better than 43%
CBA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 436 test results and a graduating class of 55 could put Fort Thompson anywhere from C to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Fort Thompson’s students in the tested grades sat them (436 in math, 435 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–5Chamberlain Elementary - 03in ChamberlainC+
6–8Chamberlain Jr. High - 02in ChamberlainC+
9–12Chamberlain High School - 01in ChamberlainA

Fort Thompson’s public schools are run by Chamberlain School District 07-1. 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.

Chamberlain School District 07-1Grades K–12 · 3 schools · 858 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 10.6 per teacher (SD 13.7)
$13,940SD $13,040 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading46%
State average 51% · 435 students tested
Math38%
State average 42.2% · 436 students tested

Fort Thompson vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Fort Thompson’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Fort ThompsonC+Chamberlain School District 07-1

Every school in Fort Thompson

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).

Also serving Fort Thompsonin other towns
Chamberlain Elementary - 03
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Chamberlain
C+
407 students10:1Rate it →
Chamberlain Jr. High - 02
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Chamberlain
C+
208 students12:1Rate it →
Chamberlain High School - 01
High · Grades 9–12 · Chamberlain
A
243 students11:1Rate it →

Questions about Fort Thompson’s schools

Are Fort Thompson’s schools good?

On South Dakota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Fort Thompson children attend score below 62% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 43%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Fort Thompson in?

Chamberlain School District 07-1, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 858 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Fort Thompson kids go to high school?

Chamberlain High School - 01 in Chamberlain, with 243 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Fort Thompson’s graduation rate?

80–89% of the class of 2023 in Chamberlain School District 07-1 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.

How much does Fort Thompson spend per student?

$13,940 in Chamberlain School District 07-1 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Fort Thompson families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Fort Thompson → 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.