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Harding County Middle School - 03

Summary:

Harding County Middle School - 03 is a public middle school located in Buffalo, South Dakota, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 60 students. The school is part of the Harding County School District 31-1, which is ranked 68 out of 126 school districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Harding County Middle School - 03 has consistently performed well, ranking 53rd out of 147 South Dakota middle schools in the most recent school year (2023-2024) with a 3-star rating. The school's academic performance is strong, with higher proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics compared to the state and district averages. Female, male, and white students at the school have all shown strong academic achievement, ranking in the top half or quarter of South Dakota middle schools. However, the school's performance in Science assessments for 8th grade lags behind the state average.

The school has also made progress in addressing chronic absenteeism, with a decline from 20.7% in 2021-2022 to 13.7% in 2023-2024. Additionally, the school's student-teacher ratio has decreased, indicating smaller class sizes and potentially more individualized attention for students. While the school's socioeconomic factors, such as the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, have fluctuated, the school's overall performance and focus on equity suggest it is effectively supporting the learning and development of its diverse student population.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 12474 Tipperary St
       Buffalo, SD  57720

(605) 375-3241

District: Harding County School District 31-1

SchoolDigger Rank:
53rd of 147 South Dakota Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,278 Help


Students who attend Harding County Middle School - 03 usually attend:

High:    Harding County High School - 01

Student/teacher ratio:  16.2 Help
Number of students:  60

Racial breakdown:

White:
95.0%
American Indian:
3.3%
Two or more races:
1.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  28.3% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Harding County Middle School - 03 ranks better than 63.9% of middle schools in South Dakota. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 59.72. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a high 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
Teachers
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Harding County Middle School - 03 is $14,278.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Harding County Middle School - 03:

SchoolDigger ranks Harding County Middle School - 03 53rd of 147 South Dakota public middle schools. (See Harding County Middle School - 03 in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
White students:


Harding County School District 31-1:

SchoolDigger ranks Harding County School District 31-1 68th of 126 South Dakota school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Harding County Middle School - 03

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Harding County Middle School - 03

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 69.63 24th 133 82.0%
2004 59.73 58th 134 56.7%
2005 58.66 61st 136 55.1%
2006 46.21 97th 141 31.2%
2007 51.24 89th 136 34.6%
2008 30.25 120th 136 11.8%
2012 54.52 79th 146 45.9%
2013 35.08 121st 145 16.6%
2015 10.19 135th 145 6.9%
2016 53.31 65th 147 55.8%
2017 52.79 79th 146 45.9%
2018 35.29 111th 147 24.5%
2019 61.67 52nd 149 65.1%
2021 59.96 54th 145 62.8%
2022 76.00 18th 143 87.4%
2023 73.68 27th 150 82.0%
2024 59.72 53rd 147 63.9%
See the entire list of South Dakota Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Female students at Harding County Middle School - 03

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 49.96 61st 113 46.0%
2023 62.46 42nd 112 62.5%
2024 55.10 48th 107 55.1%
See the entire list of Best South Dakota Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Harding County Middle School - 03

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 67.97 24th 116 79.3%
See the entire list of Best South Dakota Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Harding County Middle School - 03

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.85 118th 131 9.9%
2019 54.37 57th 136 58.1%
2021 56.68 54th 136 60.3%
2022 72.23 24th 132 81.8%
2023 68.11 33rd 136 75.7%
2024 51.52 65th 132 50.8%
See the entire list of Best South Dakota Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: South Dakota Department of Education, 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.

Harding County Middle School - 03 Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: South Dakota Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Harding County Middle School - 03

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 36 36
1990 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 29 29
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 33 33
1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 33 33
1993 31 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 31
1994 39 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 39
1995 44 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 44
1996 44 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 44
1997 33 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 33
1998 36 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 36
1999 43 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 43
2000 36 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 36
2001 25 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 25
2002 38 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 38
2003 38 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 38
2004 27 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 27
2005 34 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 34
2006 39 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 39
2007 31 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 32
2008 27 1 n/a 1 n/a n/a n/a 0 29
2009 26 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 26
2010 23 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 23
2011 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22
2012 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 41
2013 39 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 39
2014 40 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 41
2015 39 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 41
2016 41 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 45
2017 37 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 38
2018 36 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 37
2019 39 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 39
2020 40 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 41
2021 46 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 47
2022 48 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 50
2023 57 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 60

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 Harding County Middle School - 03

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 36 2.5 14.4 n/a
1990 29 2.0 14.5 n/a
1991 33 2.0 16.5 n/a
1992 33 2.0 16.5 n/a
1993 31 2.6 11.9 n/a
1994 39 2.9 13.4 n/a
1995 44 2.5 17.6 n/a
1996 44 2.5 17.6 n/a
1997 33 2.6 12.7 21.2
1998 36 2.3 15.7 33.3
1999 43 1.8 23.9 25.6
2000 36 1.6 22.5 27.8
2001 25 1.7 14.7 20
2002 38 2.7 14.1 42.1
2003 38 2.7 14.1 42.1
2004 27 3.3 8.2 40.7
2005 34 3.3 10.3 0
2006 39 2.9 13.4 71.8
2007 32 2.5 12.8 31.3
2008 29 2.5 11.6 34.5
2009 26 1.8 13.7 30.8
2010 23 2.1 10.5 52.2
2011 22 2.2 9.9 36.4
2012 41 4.1 10.0 56.1
2013 39 3.0 13.0 43.6
2014 41 3.4 11.9 24.4
2015 41 4.0 10.2 22
2016 45 4.0 11.2 22.2
2017 38 5.0 7.5 15.8
2018 37 4.7 7.7 27
2019 39 4.8 8.0 20.5
2020 41 4.4 9.2 26.8
2021 47 4.3 10.8 23.4
2022 50 4.2 11.7 14
2023 60 3.7 16.2 28.3

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 Harding County Middle School - 03

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 36 2.5 14.4 n/a
1990 29 2.0 14.5 n/a
1991 33 2.0 16.5 n/a
1992 33 2.0 16.5 n/a
1993 31 2.6 11.9 n/a
1994 39 2.9 13.4 n/a
1995 44 2.5 17.6 n/a
1996 44 2.5 17.6 n/a
1997 33 2.6 12.7 21.2
1998 36 2.3 15.7 33.3
1999 43 1.8 23.9 25.6
2000 36 1.6 22.5 27.8
2001 25 1.7 14.7 20
2002 38 2.7 14.1 42.1
2003 38 2.7 14.1 42.1
2004 27 3.3 8.2 40.7
2005 34 3.3 10.3 0
2006 39 2.9 13.4 71.8
2007 32 2.5 12.8 31.3
2008 29 2.5 11.6 34.5
2009 26 1.8 13.7 30.8
2010 23 2.1 10.5 52.2
2011 22 2.2 9.9 36.4
2012 41 4.1 10.0 56.1
2013 39 3.0 13.0 43.6
2014 41 3.4 11.9 24.4
2015 41 4.0 10.2 22
2016 45 4.0 11.2 22.2
2017 38 5.0 7.5 15.8
2018 37 4.7 7.7 27
2019 39 4.8 8.0 20.5
2020 41 4.4 9.2 26.8
2021 47 4.3 10.8 23.4
2022 50 4.2 11.7 14
2023 60 3.7 16.2 28.3

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 Harding County Middle School - 03

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2020 $414 (2.9%) $13,804 (97.1%) $14,218
2021 $540 (4.1%) $12,783 (95.9%) $13,323
2022 $580 (4.5%) $12,257 (95.5%) $12,836
2023 $911 (6.4%) $13,367 (93.6%) $14,278

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Harding County Middle School - 03

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 52nd of 149 Middle schoolsRanks 27th of 150 Middle schools
 16.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Harding County Middle School - 03)58.833.3
 25.5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Harding County School District 31-1)58.833.3
 25.5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (South Dakota)50.844.6
 6.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Harding County Middle School - 03)41.271.4
 30.3%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Harding County School District 31-1)41.271.4
 30.3%
   6th Grade Mathematics (South Dakota)41.339.1
 2.2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Harding County Middle School - 03)72.766.7
 6.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Harding County School District 31-1)72.766.7
 6.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (South Dakota)54.150.7
 3.4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Harding County Middle School - 03)36.461.1
 24.8%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Harding County School District 31-1)36.461.1
 24.8%
   7th Grade Mathematics (South Dakota)45.641.2
 4.4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Harding County Middle School - 03)66.772.2
 5.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Harding County School District 31-1)66.772.2
 5.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (South Dakota)52.148.8
 3.4%
8th Grade Mathematics (Harding County Middle School - 03)33.344.5
 11.1%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Harding County School District 31-1)33.344.5
 11.1%
   8th Grade Mathematics (South Dakota)43.837.5
 6.3%
8th Grade Science (Harding County Middle School - 03)7544.5
 30.6%
   8th Grade Science (Harding County School District 31-1)7544.5
 30.6%
   8th Grade Science (South Dakota)41.238.1
 3.1%
All Grades English Language Arts (Harding County Middle School - 03)6556.2
 8.8%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Harding County School District 31-1)6752.3
 14.7%
   All Grades English Language Arts (South Dakota)53.249.7
 3.5%
All Grades Mathematics (Harding County Middle School - 03)37.559.7
 22.2%
   All Grades Mathematics (Harding County School District 31-1)53.851.4
 2.4%
   All Grades Mathematics (South Dakota)44.941.9
 3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students3960
 53.8%
African American00
American Indian02
Asian00
Hispanic00
Pacific Islander00
White3957
 46.2%
Two or More Races01
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients20.5%28.3%
 7.8%

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Frequently Asked Questions about Harding County Middle School - 03

Harding County Middle School - 03 ranks 53rd of 147 South Dakota middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 60 students attended Harding County Middle School - 03.

Students who attend Harding County Middle School - 03 usually go on to attend Harding County High School - 01

Students at Harding County Middle School - 03 are 95% White, 3% American Indian, 2% Two or more races.


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

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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