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Watertown School District 14-4

Item: Watertown School District 14-4
Rating: 8
Author: Public School Review

200 Ne 9th St
Watertown, SD 57201

( shown in map)

Top 30%

Tel: (605) 882-6312

www.watertown.k12.sd.us

Top Rankings

Watertown School District 14-4 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:

Overview

This School District

This State (SD)

# Schools

8 Schools

727 Schools

# Students

3,606 Students

146,864 Students

# Teachers

240 Teachers

10,621 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

15:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
Pre-K	71	19
Kind	228	69
1	219	62
2	243	64
3	254	65
4	256	62
5	257	63
6	279	64
7	277	64
8	300	64
9	313	71
10	304	66
11	299	61
12	306	61

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District Rank

Watertown School District 14-4, which is ranked within the top 30% 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 86% has decreased from 87% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (SD)

#43 out of 148 school districts
(Top 30%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Watertown School District 14-4
2023	#43
2022	#46
2021	#52
2019	#27
2018	#57
2017	#27
2016	#28
2015	#28
2014	#11
2013	#53
2012	#23

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50%

42%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2023	50%	42%
2022	51%	42%
2021	45%	43%
2019	55%	46%
2018	51%	47%
2017	52%	47%
2016	52%	45%
2015	50%	42%
2014	50%	51%
2013	81%	73%
2012	86%	75%

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59%

51%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2022	59%	51%
2021	57%	52%
2019	64%	54%
2018	51%	54%
2017	63%	53%
2016	62%	52%
2015	59%	49%
2014	50%	52%
2013	81%	74%
2012	82%	75%
2011	82%	75%

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49%

42%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2022	49%	42%
2021	47%	42%

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86%

82%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2023	86%	82%
2022	90%	82%
2021	88%	80%
2020	87%	84%
2019	91%	83%
2018	87%	82%
2017	86%	82%
2016	83%	82%
2015	88%	82%
2014	87%	81%
2013	86%	81%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.35

0.53

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2024	0.33	0.53
2023	0.31	0.51
2022	0.30	0.50
2021	0.28	0.50
2020	0.24	0.50
2019	0.24	0.50
2018	0.22	0.47
2017	0.22	0.47
2016	0.20	0.42
2015	0.19	0.41
2014	0.18	0.40
2013	0.18	0.38
2012	0.16	0.38
2011	0.16	0.40
2010	0.14	0.37
2009	0.15	0.38
2008	0.12	0.30
2007	0.11	0.28
2006	0.12	0.34
2005	0.12	0.28
2004	0.11	0.34
2003	0.11	0.32
2002	0.10	0.31
2001	0.09	0.31
2000	0.10	0.27
1999	0.07	0.29
1998	0.08	0.29
1997	0.08	0.29
1996	0.07	0.28
1995	0.08	0.28
1994	0.07	0.27

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% American Indian

14%

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2024)
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2024	5%	14%
2023	5%	14%
2022	5%	14%
2021	5%	14%
2020	4%	16%
2019	4%	16%
2018	5%	16%
2017	5%	16%
2016	4%	12%
2015	3%	11%
2014	3%	11%
2013	4%	11%
2012	3%	12%
2011	4%	17%
2010	4%	16%
2009	5%	17%
2008	4%	12%
2007	3%	11%
2006	3%	17%
2005	4%	11%
2004	4%	16%
2003	4%	16%
2002	3%	15%
2001	3%	15%
2000	3%	14%
1999	2%	14%
1998	2%	14%
1997	2%	14%
1996	3%	14%
1995	3%	14%
1994	2%	13%

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% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2024)
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2024	2%	2%
2023	2%	2%
2022	2%	2%
2021	2%	2%
2020	1%	2%
2019	1%	2%
2015	1%	2%
2014	1%	2%
2013	1%	2%
2012	1%	2%
2011	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%
2008	1%	1%
2007	1%	1%
2006	1%	1%
2005	1%	1%
2004	1%	1%
2003	1%	1%
2002	1%	1%
2001	1%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%
1997	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2024)
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2024	7%	8%
2023	7%	8%
2022	6%	7%
2021	5%	7%
2020	4%	6%
2019	4%	6%
2018	5%	5%
2017	5%	5%
2016	4%	5%
2015	4%	5%
2014	3%	5%
2013	3%	4%
2012	2%	4%
2011	2%	3%
2010	2%	3%
2009	2%	3%
2008	2%	2%
2007	2%	2%
2006	2%	2%
2005	2%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	1%
2002	1%	1%
2001	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%

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% Black

n/a

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1997-2020)
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2016	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	2%
1998	1%	1%
1997	1%	1%

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% White

80%

66%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2024)
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2024	80%	67%
2023	81%	68%
2022	82%	69%
2021	84%	69%
2020	86%	69%
2019	86%	69%
2018	88%	71%
2017	88%	71%
2016	89%	75%
2015	90%	76%
2014	91%	77%
2013	91%	78%
2012	92%	78%
2011	92%	76%
2010	93%	78%
2009	92%	77%
2008	93%	83%
2007	94%	84%
2006	94%	80%
2005	93%	84%
2004	94%	80%
2003	94%	81%
2002	95%	82%
2001	95%	82%
2000	95%	86%
1999	97%	83%
1998	96%	83%
1997	96%	83%
1996	96%	84%
1995	96%	84%
1994	96%	84%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2014-2024)
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2024	6%	6%
2023	5%	5%
2022	5%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	4%	4%
2019	4%	4%
2018	2%	3%
2017	2%	3%
2016	2%	3%
2015	2%	3%
2014	1%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,567 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,047. The school district revenue/student has grown by 19% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $13,126 is higher than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has grown by 30% over four school years.

This School District

This State (SD)

Total Revenue

$45 MM

$1,916 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2023	$45 MM	$6 MM
2022	$41 MM	$5 MM
2021	$45 MM	$6 MM
2020	$41 MM	$5 MM
2019	$41 MM	$5 MM
2018	$40 MM	$5 MM
2017	$39 MM	$5 MM
2016	$37 MM	$4 MM
2015	$34 MM	$4 MM
2014	$34 MM	$4 MM
2012	$34 MM	$4 MM
2011	$33 MM	$4 MM
2010	$34 MM	$4 MM
2009	$32 MM	$3 MM
2008	$31 MM	$3 MM
2007	$31 MM	$3 MM
2006	$29 MM	$3 MM
2005	$28 MM	$3 MM
2004	$28 MM	$3 MM
2003	$27 MM	$2 MM
2002	$27 MM	$2 MM
2001	$27 MM	$2 MM
2000	$25 MM	$2 MM
1999	$23 MM	$2 MM
1998	$24 MM	$2 MM
1997	$21 MM	$2 MM
1996	$19 MM	$2 MM
1995	$18 MM	$2 MM

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Spending

$47 MM

$1,844 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2023	$47 MM	$5 MM
2022	$39 MM	$5 MM
2021	$47 MM	$5 MM
2020	$39 MM	$5 MM
2019	$40 MM	$5 MM
2018	$40 MM	$5 MM
2017	$38 MM	$5 MM
2016	$39 MM	$4 MM
2015	$32 MM	$3 MM
2014	$35 MM	$4 MM
2012	$32 MM	$3 MM
2011	$32 MM	$4 MM
2010	$32 MM	$3 MM
2009	$30 MM	$3 MM
2008	$29 MM	$3 MM
2007	$31 MM	$3 MM
2006	$28 MM	$3 MM
2005	$27 MM	$3 MM
2004	$26 MM	$2 MM
2003	$25 MM	$3 MM
2002	$26 MM	$2 MM
2001	$28 MM	$2 MM
2000	$23 MM	$2 MM
1999	$21 MM	$2 MM
1998	$21 MM	$2 MM
1997	$20 MM	$2 MM
1996	$20 MM	$2 MM
1995	$21 MM	$2 MM

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Revenue / Student

$12,567

$13,047

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2023	$11,916	$15,739
2022	$10,521	$14,965
2021	$11,473	$16,342
2020	$10,521	$14,965
2019	$10,267	$14,816
2018	$10,099	$15,113
2017	$9,886	$15,388
2016	$9,142	$14,130
2015	$8,526	$11,732
2014	$8,778	$11,720
2012	$8,862	$11,685
2011	$8,771	$11,891
2010	$8,927	$11,732
2009	$8,217	$10,941
2008	$8,278	$10,856
2007	$8,133	$10,306
2006	$7,451	$10,049
2005	$7,316	$9,356
2004	$7,130	$8,456
2003	$6,730	$8,337
2002	$6,706	$7,799
2001	$6,713	$7,600
2000	$6,147	$7,183
1999	$5,544	$6,671
1998	$5,657	$5,954
1997	$4,928	$5,709
1995	$4,182	$5,253
1992	$3,478	$4,776

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Spending / Student

$13,126

$12,552

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Watertown School District 14-4	South Dakota
2023	$12,446	$14,560
2022	$10,055	$14,171
2021	$11,983	$15,118
2020	$10,055	$14,171
2019	$10,088	$14,567
2018	$10,102	$15,244
2017	$9,570	$14,997
2016	$9,755	$13,890
2015	$8,030	$11,206
2014	$8,982	$11,268
2012	$8,503	$10,790
2011	$8,510	$11,832
2010	$8,408	$11,206
2009	$7,755	$10,706
2008	$7,724	$10,238
2007	$8,277	$9,578
2006	$7,269	$9,559
2005	$6,901	$9,435
2004	$6,743	$8,315
2003	$6,370	$8,840
2002	$6,450	$8,399
2001	$6,816	$8,153
2000	$5,531	$7,670
1999	$5,021	$6,645
1998	$5,078	$5,696
1997	$4,629	$5,234
1995	$5,007	$5,109
1992	$4,562	$5,221

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Best Watertown School District 14-4 Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Lincoln Elementary - 05

(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
:

10/

Top 5%

Add to Compare

1100 13th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340

Gr: 1-4 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%

Rank: #22.

Mckinley Early Childhood Center - 06

(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

5 12th St Sw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350

Gr: PK-K | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%

Rank: #33.

Watertown Middle School - 02

(Math: 50% | Reading: 64%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

1700 11th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6370

Gr: 7-8 | 575 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%

Rank: #44.

Jefferson Elementary - 09

(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 45-49%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

1701 N Maple St
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6390

Gr: 1-4 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%

Rank: #55.

Watertown High School - 01

(Math: 36% | Reading: 69%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

200 Ne 9th St
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6316

Gr: 9-12 | 1,222 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%

Rank: #66.

Mellette Elementary - 07

(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

619 2nd St Nw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6385

Gr: 1-4 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%

Rank: #77.

Watertown Intermediate School - 13

(Math: 41% | Reading: 54%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

601 11th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6355

Gr: 5-6 | 532 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%

Rank: n/an/a

Sunrise Colony - 15

Add to Compare

45425 152nd St
Summit, SD 57266
(605) 882-6340

Gr: K-8 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Watertown School District 14-4?

Watertown School District 14-4 manages 8 public schools serving 3,606 students.

What is the rank of Watertown School District 14-4?

Watertown School District 14-4 is ranked #33 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 30%) 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 graduation rate (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Watertown School District 14-4?

80% of Watertown School District 14-4 students are White, 8% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Watertown School District 14-4?

Watertown School District 14-4 has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is higher than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.

What is Watertown School District 14-4's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $13,126 is higher than the state median of $12,552. The school district spending/student has grown by 30% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 8 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 3,606 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 20%
: 86% (Top 20% in SD)
: Top 30%
: 50% (Top 50%)
: 59% (Top 30%)
: 49% (Top 30%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education