Top Rankings
Harding County School District 31-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 227 students in Harding County School District 31-1. This district's average testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Harding County School District 31-1 have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 3% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
727 Schools
# Students
227 Students
146,864 Students
# Teachers
21 Teachers
10,621 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Harding County School District 31-1, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 146 school districts in South Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 50% has decreased from 80% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#20 out of 148 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-59%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥50%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.05
0.53
% American Indian
n/a
14%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
1%
9%
% Black
n/a
3%
% White
97%
66%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $21,145 is higher than the state median of $13,047. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,515 is higher than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has declined by 8% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$5 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$21,145
$13,047
Spending / Student
$17,515
$12,552
Best Harding County School District 31-1 Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Harding County Middle School - 03
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
12474 Tipperary St
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Gr: 6-8 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #22.
Harding County High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
12474 Tipperary St
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Gr: 9-12 | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #33.
Buffalo Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
12474 Tipperary St
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Gr: K-5 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Harding County School District 31-1?
Harding County School District 31-1 manages 3 public schools serving 227 students.
What is the rank of Harding County School District 31-1?
Harding County School District 31-1 is ranked #26 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of South Dakota school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%) and Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
What is the racial composition of students in Harding County School District 31-1?
97% of Harding County School District 31-1 students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Harding County School District 31-1?
Harding County School District 31-1 has a student/teacher ratio of 11:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Harding County School District 31-1's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $17,515 is higher than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has declined by 8% over four school years.
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