Britton-Hecla School District 45-4

The Britton-Hecla School District 45-4 in South Dakota consists of 6 schools, including 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools. The district serves a mix of rural and small-town communities, with varying student demographics and academic performance across its schools.

Among the standout schools in the district is Britton-Hecla High School - 01, which has consistently ranked among the top 36 high schools in South Dakota and earned a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. This high school boasts an impressive 96.5% four-year graduation rate and significantly higher test scores in English Language Arts and Science compared to the district and state averages. In contrast, the smaller, rural schools like Westwood Rural Elementary - 05 and Sunset Colony Elementary - 04 face unique challenges, such as high rates of economically disadvantaged students and lower test scores, but also demonstrate strengths like exceptional attendance rates and high graduation rates.

Across the district, student performance on Smarter Balanced Assessments is generally below the state averages, particularly in Mathematics. This indicates a need for targeted interventions and support to improve student learning in core academic areas. Additionally, the variation in per-student spending and student-teacher ratios across the schools suggests the district may need to re-evaluate its resource allocation to ensure equitable access to educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their school's size or location.