Top Rankings
Howard School District 48-3 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 10%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 356 students in Howard School District 48-3. This district's average testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Howard School District 48-3 have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
4 Schools
727 Schools
# Students
356 Students
146,864 Students
# Teachers
29 Teachers
10,621 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Howard School District 48-3, which is ranked within the top 10% 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 80% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#13 out of 148 school districts
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
42%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥80%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.09
0.53
% American Indian
2%
14%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
2%
9%
% Black
1%
3%
% White
95%
66%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,604 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 $14,396 is higher than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$6 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$5 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,604
$13,047
Spending / Student
$14,396
$12,552
Best Howard School District 48-3 Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Howard High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
500 N Section Line
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Gr: 9-12 | 96 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #22.
Howard Jr. High - 05
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 N Section Line
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Gr: 6-8 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Howard Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
201 N Minnie St
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-4443
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-4443
Gr: PK-5 | 158 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #44.
Shannon Colony Elementary - 08
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
43945 235th St.
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 772-4443
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 772-4443
Gr: K-8 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Howard School District 48-3?
Howard School District 48-3 manages 4 public schools serving 356 students.
What is the rank of Howard School District 48-3?
Howard School District 48-3 is ranked #11 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 10%) 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 10%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%) and Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
What is the racial composition of students in Howard School District 48-3?
95% of Howard School District 48-3 students are White, 2% of students are American Indian, 2% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Howard School District 48-3?
Howard School District 48-3 has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Howard School District 48-3's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $14,396 is higher than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
