Newell School District 09-2

The Newell School District 09-2 in South Dakota is home to 3 schools serving students from elementary through high school. The district's standout performer is Newell Elementary - 02, which consistently achieves strong test scores, particularly in 3rd and 4th grade English Language Arts and Mathematics. In contrast, Newell High School - 01 struggles with low test scores, especially in Mathematics, despite maintaining a relatively high 4-year graduation rate.

Newell Middle School - 04 has shown improvement in its statewide ranking, moving from 126th out of 150 schools in 2022-2023 to 77th out of 246 schools in 2024-2025. The school's 7th grade students have performed exceptionally well in both English Language Arts and Mathematics, and its 8th grade Science proficiency rate is also a standout. However, the school has the highest free/reduced lunch rate in the district at 57.69%, suggesting potential socioeconomic disparities that may impact student learning.

Overall, the Newell School District 09-2 presents a mixed picture, with Newell Elementary - 02 emerging as the strongest performer and Newell High School - 01 struggling to prepare students for college and career readiness. The district should examine its budgeting and resource allocation practices to ensure equitable access to high-quality education for all students, regardless of their economic background.