Summary:
The city of Murdo, South Dakota is home to 3 schools that serve students from elementary through high school, all part of the Jones County School District 37-3. While the district's elementary and middle schools are excelling, with top state rankings and strong student performance, the high school is struggling, with declining statewide rankings and below-average test scores.
Jones County Middle School - 04 stands out as the top-performing school in the area, ranking 3rd out of 147 middle schools in South Dakota and earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school consistently outperforms state and district averages on standardized assessments, with 72.54% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 66.66% in Math. In contrast, Jones County High School - 01 has seen a significant decline, dropping from 15th to 106th out of 141 high schools in the state, with only 45.45% of 11th-graders proficient or better in ELA and 27.27% in Math.
The data suggests potential equity concerns, as the elementary and middle schools have higher rates of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch compared to the high school. This disparity may indicate that students from lower-income families are not receiving the same level of support and resources as they progress through the education system. To address these challenges, the district could explore opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing between the higher-performing and lower-performing schools, ensuring a more equitable and consistent educational experience for all students in the Murdo community.
Thank you for your feedback!