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 3 public elementary schools serving 260 students in Howard School District 48-3. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public elementary schools in South Dakota.
Public Elementary Schools in Howard School District 48-3 have an average math proficiency score of 61% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
4 Schools
497 Schools
# Students
356 Students
101,366 Students
# Teachers
29 Teachers
7,461 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
0.56
% American Indian
2%
16%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
2%
9%
% Black
1%
3%
% White
95%
64%
% 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 Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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
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