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South Middle School

Summary:

South Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 6-8 in the Grand Forks 1 school district, with a student population of 549. The school has a diverse student body, with a racial makeup that is predominantly White (61.75%), with significant populations of African American (10.56%), Hispanic (8.01%), and Asian (6.01%) students.

Academically, South Middle School has consistently ranked in the top half of North Dakota middle schools, but its proficiency rates in Mathematics (39%) and Reading (56%) are slightly below the district and state averages. The school has relatively low dropout rates, ranging from 2% to 4%, which is on par with nearby Schroeder Middle School. However, South Middle School has seen a steady increase in chronic absenteeism, from 12% in 2018-2019 to 24% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the 20% rate at Schroeder Middle School but lower than the 39% rate at Valley Middle School.

One of the school's strengths is its relatively low student-teacher ratio of 9.9 in 2022-2023, which is higher than the 6.4 ratio at Nathan Twining Middle School but lower than the 9.5 ratio at Valley Middle School. Additionally, South Middle School has the highest per-student spending among the nearby schools, at $14,793 in 2021-2022, which could indicate a greater investment in resources and programs for students. However, the school's subgroup performance data suggests the need to further investigate and address any achievement gaps, particularly between male and female students, and between White students and their low socioeconomic status counterparts.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 1999 47th Ave S
       Grand Forks, ND  58201

(701) 746-2345

District: Grand Forks 1

SchoolDigger Rank:
11th of 24 North Dakota Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,793 Help


Students who attend South Middle School usually attend:

High:    Red River High School

Feeder schools for South Middle School:

Elementary:    Century Elementary School
    Discovery Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  9.9 Help
Number of students:  549

Racial breakdown:

White:
61.7%
Two or more races:
11.7%
African American:
10.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  31.3% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details South Middle School ranks better than 54.2% of middle schools in North Dakota. It also ranks 2nd among 3 ranked middle schools in the Grand Forks 1 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 57.23. (See more...)
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details South Middle School has the largest middle school student body size in the Grand Forks 1 School District. Racial makeup is: White (61.7%), two or more races (11.7%), African American (10.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 31.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at South Middle School is 9.9. 2 middle schools in the Grand Forks 1 School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare South Middle School employs 55 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Middle School is $14,793, which is the 2nd highest among 3 middle schools in the Grand Forks 1 School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

South Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks South Middle School 11th of 24 North Dakota public middle schools. (See South Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Grand Forks 1:

SchoolDigger ranks Grand Forks 1 6th of 20 North Dakota school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for South Middle School

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Rank History for all students at South Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools ND State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 57.58 58th 124 53.2%
2013 53.28 73rd 135 45.9%
2014 62.37 52nd 136 61.8%
2015 64.58 33rd 109 69.7%
2016 47.51 65th 116 44.0%
2017 43.72 19th 32 40.6%
2018 40.00 11th 21 47.6%
2019 53.19 10th 23 56.5%
2021 65.10 9th 24 62.5%
2022 60.13 9th 28 67.9%
2023 51.58 13th 27 51.9%
2024 57.23 11th 24 54.2%
See the entire list of North Dakota Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at South Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools ND State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.96 10th 13 23.1%
See the entire list of Best North Dakota Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at South Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools ND State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.01 10th 17 41.2%
2019 49.98 10th 17 41.2%
2021 63.97 9th 17 47.1%
2022 61.42 9th 19 52.6%
2023 49.67 11th 20 45.0%
2024 52.95 11th 19 42.1%
See the entire list of Best North Dakota Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at South Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools ND State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.52 13th 17 23.5%
2019 58.38 10th 18 44.4%
2021 76.98 5th 18 72.2%
2022 81.37 3rd 20 85.0%
2023 76.27 5th 20 75.0%
2024 77.26 5th 19 73.7%
See the entire list of Best North Dakota Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at South Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools ND State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 56.64 8th 18 55.6%
2019 67.48 5th 21 76.2%
2021 68.95 6th 22 72.7%
2022 60.50 8th 25 68.0%
2023 60.52 8th 25 68.0%
2024 66.32 7th 23 69.6%
See the entire list of Best North Dakota Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

South Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for South Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 554 6 5 4 23 n/a n/a 0 592
1989 540 6 6 3 24 n/a n/a 0 579
1990 560 2 3 5 23 n/a n/a 0 593
1991 552 2 4 9 12 n/a n/a 0 579
1992 552 4 4 6 18 n/a n/a 0 584
1993 543 5 3 9 32 n/a n/a 0 592
1994 562 4 3 7 37 n/a n/a 0 613
1995 440 2 2 2 15 n/a n/a 0 461
1996 440 2 2 2 15 n/a n/a 0 461
1997 430 2 4 4 22 n/a n/a 0 462
1998 401 3 4 5 10 n/a n/a 0 423
1999 366 6 0 3 15 n/a n/a 0 390
2000 492 8 7 0 21 n/a n/a 0 528
2001 501 7 10 1 21 n/a n/a 0 540
2002 522 6 10 7 24 n/a n/a 0 569
2003 522 6 10 7 24 n/a n/a 0 569
2004 481 10 11 7 17 n/a n/a 0 526
2005 503 11 3 9 17 n/a n/a 0 543
2006 498 16 18 12 17 n/a n/a 0 561
2007 515 14 11 8 14 n/a n/a 0 562
2008 491 12 18 6 17 n/a n/a 0 544
2009 503 22 13 6 18 n/a n/a 0 562
2010 476 31 26 15 17 n/a n/a 0 565
2011 470 32 26 0 20 1 17 0 566
2012 449 22 29 26 22 1 0 0 549
2013 456 25 37 24 20 0 1 0 563
2014 444 33 39 25 17 0 0 0 558
2015 449 38 40 24 17 1 3 0 572
2016 425 50 35 18 24 0 2 0 554
2017 405 60 39 28 32 1 3 0 568
2018 374 82 40 30 31 1 4 0 562
2019 360 70 41 44 19 0 33 0 567
2020 355 50 44 45 20 0 57 0 571
2021 360 52 40 49 24 1 67 0 593
2022 352 51 26 56 16 0 76 0 577
2023 339 58 33 44 11 0 64 0 549

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at South Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 592 27.6 21.4 n/a
1989 579 25.0 23.1 n/a
1990 593 32.4 18.3 n/a
1991 579 29.3 19.7 n/a
1992 584 34.8 16.7 11.3
1993 592 34.3 17.3 12.7
1994 613 35.9 17.1 14
1995 461 32.9 14.0 20.8
1996 461 32.9 14.0 20.8
1997 462 34.0 13.6 14.1
1998 423 34.6 12.2 18.4
1999 390 32.8 11.9 17.7
2000 528 42.1 12.5 15.2
2001 540 45.5 11.9 18.7
2002 569 48.4 11.8 18.6
2003 569 48.4 11.8 18.6
2004 526 46.8 11.2 17.5
2005 543 47.8 11.4 22.3
2006 561 47.9 11.7 21.2
2007 562 48.1 11.7 19.9
2008 544 48.9 11.1 23
2009 562 47.6 11.8 23.1
2010 565 48.8 11.5 28.7
2011 566 49.2 11.4 28.3
2012 549 49.4 11.1 31
2013 563 48.6 11.5 29.5
2014 558 48.7 11.4 28.3
2015 572 49.0 11.6 26.7
2016 554 49.0 11.3 28.5
2017 568 49.3 11.5 33.5
2018 562 48.5 11.5 36.3
2019 567 51.5 11.0 36.5
2020 571 51.5 11.0 31
2021 593 51.5 11.5 24.5
2022 577 51.5 11.2 18
2023 549 55.0 9.9 31.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio South Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 592 27.6 21.4 n/a
1989 579 25.0 23.1 n/a
1990 593 32.4 18.3 n/a
1991 579 29.3 19.7 n/a
1992 584 34.8 16.7 11.3
1993 592 34.3 17.3 12.7
1994 613 35.9 17.1 14
1995 461 32.9 14.0 20.8
1996 461 32.9 14.0 20.8
1997 462 34.0 13.6 14.1
1998 423 34.6 12.2 18.4
1999 390 32.8 11.9 17.7
2000 528 42.1 12.5 15.2
2001 540 45.5 11.9 18.7
2002 569 48.4 11.8 18.6
2003 569 48.4 11.8 18.6
2004 526 46.8 11.2 17.5
2005 543 47.8 11.4 22.3
2006 561 47.9 11.7 21.2
2007 562 48.1 11.7 19.9
2008 544 48.9 11.1 23
2009 562 47.6 11.8 23.1
2010 565 48.8 11.5 28.7
2011 566 49.2 11.4 28.3
2012 549 49.4 11.1 31
2013 563 48.6 11.5 29.5
2014 558 48.7 11.4 28.3
2015 572 49.0 11.6 26.7
2016 554 49.0 11.3 28.5
2017 568 49.3 11.5 33.5
2018 562 48.5 11.5 36.3
2019 567 51.5 11.0 36.5
2020 571 51.5 11.0 31
2021 593 51.5 11.5 24.5
2022 577 51.5 11.2 18
2023 549 55.0 9.9 31.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for South Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $253 (1.9%) $12,907 (98.1%) $13,160
2020 $1,052 (7.6%) $12,755 (92.4%) $13,807
2021 $1,081 (7.6%) $13,122 (92.4%) $14,203
2022 $1,938 (13.1%) $12,854 (86.9%) $14,793

Data source: North Dakota Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on South Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 10th of 23 Middle schoolsRanks 13th of 27 Middle schools
 4.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
All Grades Mathematics (South Middle School)4735
 12%
   All Grades Mathematics (Grand Forks 1)4640
 6%
   All Grades Mathematics (North Dakota)4539
 6%
All Grades Reading (South Middle School)5052
 2%
   All Grades Reading (Grand Forks 1)4948
 1%
   All Grades Reading (North Dakota)4744
 3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students567549
 3.2%
African American7058
 17.1%
American Indian1911
 42.1%
Asian4133
 19.5%
Hispanic4444
Pacific Islander00
White360339
 5.8%
Two or More Races3364
 93.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients36.5%31.3%
 5.2%

Schools Near South Middle School








Frequently Asked Questions about South Middle School

In the 2022-23 school year, 549 students attended South Middle School.

South Middle School ranks 11th of 24 North Dakota middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at South Middle School are 62% White, 12% Two or more races, 11% African American, 8% Hispanic, 6% Asian, 2% American Indian.

Students who attend South Middle School usually go on to attend Red River High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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