Custer School District 16-1

The Custer School District 16-1 in South Dakota serves 4 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. The district's performance is mixed, with some standout schools and others lagging behind.

Custer High School - 01 is the top performer, ranking 26th out of 141 high schools in the state and earning a 4-star rating. It boasts a strong 92.1% 4-year graduation rate and high test scores, with over 70% of 11th graders proficient in English Language Arts and Science. In contrast, Hermosa Elementary - 04 lags behind, with only 29% of students proficient in English Language Arts and 38% in Mathematics, significantly lower than the 58% proficiency rates at Custer Elementary - 02.

The district also faces challenges with chronic absenteeism, which is higher at Custer Elementary - 02 compared to other schools. Additionally, there are disparities in per-student spending and student-teacher ratios across the district, which may contribute to the performance gaps. The district should investigate the root causes of these differences and work to allocate resources more equitably to ensure all students in the Custer School District 16-1 receive a quality education.