Best Public Schools in Irene, SD

The city of Irene, South Dakota is home to two schools: Irene - Wakonda High School - 01 and Irene - Wakonda Junior High - 04, both part of the Irene - Wakonda School District 13-3. The data analysis reveals a significant performance gap between the high school and junior high, with the high school being a standout top-performing school in the state and the junior high struggling in comparison.

Irene - Wakonda High School - 01 is ranked 18th out of 141 South Dakota high schools and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school boasts consistently high test scores, an impressive 88.8% four-year graduation rate, and a low 2.4% dropout rate. In contrast, Irene - Wakonda Junior High - 04 is performing below average, with a 2-star rating and ranking 91st out of 147 South Dakota middle schools. The junior high has lower test scores, a higher chronic absenteeism rate, and a higher free/reduced lunch rate compared to the high school.

The data suggests that the high school's success may be attributed to factors such as higher spending per student, lower student-teacher ratios, and a lower percentage of students from low-income backgrounds. These resources and demographics likely contribute to the school's strong academic outcomes. However, the concerning trends at the junior high level, such as lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism, indicate that targeted interventions may be needed to address the challenges faced by this school and ensure more equitable educational opportunities for all students in the district.