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C−
Schools in Garretson · Garretson School District 49-4

Garretson’s public schools score below 76% of South Dakota districts on tests and graduation

On the state reading tests, 41% of Garretson’s students scored proficient, below the South Dakota average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Garretson, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. 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 94% 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
41%
▼ 10 pts vs SD 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
37%
▼ 5 pts vs SD 42%
2021–22
Spent per student
$11.8K
▼ 10% vs SD $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.3
SD 13.7
Schools in town
3
493 students on the public path
In brief

Garretson’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 37% in math, against 51% and 42% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,773 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 Garretson Middle School - 03, then Garretson 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 Garretson’s grade

C− Test scores

C−: better than 24% of South Dakota school districts. Test scores are below the South Dakota average; there is no graduation rate to add.

South Dakota school districts we grade (147)Better than 24%
Lower resultsHigher results
South Dakota towns with similar household incomes (265)Better than 23%
DCA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 222 test results could put Garretson anywhere from D to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Garretson’s students in the tested grades sat them (222 in math, 222 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Garretson Elementary - 02Garretson School District 49-4C−
6–8Garretson Middle School - 03Garretson School District 49-4C+
9–12Garretson High School - 01Garretson School District 49-4C

Garretson’s public schools are run by Garretson School District 49-4, which also serves Edison, Highland, Palisade and Red Rock and others. 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.

Garretson School District 49-4Grades PK–12 · 3 schools · 493 students · 13.3 per teacher (SD 13.7)
$11,773SD $13,040 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading41%
State average 51% · 222 students tested
Math37%
State average 42.2% · 222 students tested

Garretson vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
GarretsonC−Garretson School District 49-4

Every school in Garretson

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).

District schools in Garretsonby address
Garretson Elementary - 02
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
246 students14:1Rate it →
Garretson Middle School - 03
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
105 students13:1Rate it →
Garretson High School - 01
High · Grades 9–12
C
142 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Garretson’s schools

Are Garretson’s schools good?

On South Dakota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Garretson children attend score below 76% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 23%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Garretson in?

Garretson School District 49-4, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 493 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Garretson kids go to high school?

Garretson High School - 01, with 142 students; its own test results earn a C.

How much does Garretson spend per student?

$11,773 in Garretson School District 49-4 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Garretson families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Garretson → 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.