Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

New rankings! SchoolDigger recently updated its South Dakota rankings with newly released test scores for the 2025-26 school year.

Be the first to know when we post new rankings!

Groton Area Middle School - 04

Q: Is Groton Area Middle School - 04 a good school?

Groton Area Middle School - 04 ranks 41 st of 151 South Dakota middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

41^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 151 South Dakota Middle Schools

Better than 73% of South Dakota middle schools

Summary

In Groton, South Dakota, Groton Area Middle School - 04 serves 132 students in grades 6–8. Its 2025–2026 results show a strong comparison with the state, although the school does not match its district in every subject. The clearest headline is that all-grades ELA and math, and eighth-grade science, were above state results, while ELA and math remained below the district’s reported results.

ELA is a particular strength: 58% of students were proficient, 8 percentage points above the state and 6 below the Groton Area School District 06-6. Groton led nearby schools in ELA, including Simmons Middle School - 03, Holgate Middle School - 02, and Langford Area Middle School - 03. Math proficiency was 52%—8 points above the state and 8 below the district—and ranked second among those nearby schools. Eighth-grade science was 48%, 7 points above the state, equal to the district figure supplied, and the highest of the four nearby schools. Attendance also stands out: chronic absenteeism was 7%, compared with 20% statewide and 14% in the district, and was lower than at all three nearby schools.

Results have improved from recent lows but have not returned to earlier highs: ELA rose 1 point and math 4 points in 2025–2026, while both remained about 10–14 points below their 2022–2023 results; eighth-grade science fell 8 points in the latest year and was 17 points below its 2022–2023 result. SchoolDigger ranks Groton in the 73rd statewide percentile (41st of 151 schools, 4 stars) in 2025–2026, down from the 97th percentile in 2022–2023; its district ranks 6th of 126, at the 95th percentile with 5 stars. The 2024–2025 student-teacher ratio was 12.9, the lowest among the nearby schools, and 19% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible. SchoolDigger’s 2024–2025 statewide effectiveness ranking was at the 90th percentile for English Language Learner Students, versus 72nd overall, but at the 39th percentile for Multi-racial Students, indicating a lower standing for that group. Grade-level results may vary with cohort size at a school enrolling 132 students.

132

Students ?

12.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,504

Per pupil spending ?

18.9%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

502 N 2nd St
Groton, SD 57445

(605) 397-8381

District: Groton Area School District 06-6

Students who attend Groton Area Middle School - 04 usually attend:

High:

Groton Area High School - 01

Feeder schools for Groton Area Middle School - 04:

Elementary:

Groton Area Elementary - 02

Racial breakdown:

White:

93.2%

Hispanic:

4.5%

Two or more races:

1.5%

See top rated South Dakota middle schools

Compare Groton Area Middle School - 04 to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 88th percentile in 2016 → 73rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the South Dakota average (54% vs 46% meeting standards)

✓Above the South Dakota median (73rd percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 15 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school54%

District avg60%

South Dakota avg46%

41^st of 151

South Dakota public middle schools ?

Top 27%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From top 12% (2016) to top 27% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of South Dakota Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

6^th of 126Groton Area School District 06-6 among South Dakota districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2026	67.1	41 of 151	72.8%	★★★★☆
2025	66.8	69 of 246	72.0%	★★★★☆
2024	64.1	42 of 147	71.4%	★★★★☆
2023	88.9	4 of 150	97.3%	★★★★★
2022	90.7	5 of 143	96.5%	★★★★★
2021	87.7	3 of 145	97.9%	★★★★★
2019	82.0	10 of 149	93.3%	★★★★★
2018	84.4	8 of 147	94.6%	★★★★★
2017	90.0	4 of 146	97.3%	★★★★★
2016	79.4	17 of 147	88.4%	★★★★☆
2015	80.3	13 of 145	91.0%	★★★★★
2013	77.8	13 of 145	91.0%	★★★★★
2012	74.0	19 of 146	87.0%	★★★★☆
2011	82.4	7 of 140	95.0%	★★★★★
2010	75.5	18 of 139	87.1%	★★★★☆
2009	56.8	69 of 139	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2008	75.6	14 of 136	89.7%	★★★★★
2007	69.5	33 of 136	75.7%	★★★★☆
2006	70.7	25 of 141	82.3%	★★★★☆
2005	75.4	17 of 136	87.5%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	70.8	12 of 117	89.7%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2026	68.0	31 of 115	73.0%	★★★★☆
2025	71.9	35 of 229	84.7%	★★★★☆
2024	61.4	36 of 107	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	91.2	2 of 112	98.2%	★★★★★
2022	88.6	3 of 102	97.1%	★★★★★
2021	85.9	4 of 113	96.5%	★★★★★
2019	77.4	9 of 107	91.6%	★★★★★
2018	70.2	25 of 99	74.7%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	58.5	25 of 117	78.6%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	50.1	87 of 187	53.5%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2026	60.1	44 of 117	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	58.6	92 of 233	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.4	34 of 115	70.4%	★★★★☆
2023	85.4	9 of 116	92.2%	★★★★★
2022	88.8	2 of 104	98.1%	★★★★★
2021	87.0	3 of 115	97.4%	★★★★★
2019	80.9	12 of 110	89.1%	★★★★☆
2018	91.1	2 of 111	98.2%	★★★★★

Migrant

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	72.2	2 of 17	88.2%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	43.8	70 of 115	39.1%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	46.3	82 of 181	54.7%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2026	57.9	53 of 133	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.2	81 of 230	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	57.0	57 of 132	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	86.3	7 of 136	94.9%	★★★★★
2022	86.9	8 of 132	93.9%	★★★★★
2021	84.9	4 of 136	97.1%	★★★★★
2019	79.1	13 of 136	90.4%	★★★★★
2018	78.4	15 of 131	88.5%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

English Language Learner (2025)90th percentile+18 vs school

Migrant (2025)88th percentile+16 vs school

Hispanic (2025)79th percentile+7 vs school

Female (2026)73rd percentile~ school

Male (2026)62nd percentile-10 vs school

White (2026)60th percentile-13 vs school

Special Education (2025)55th percentile-17 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)53rd percentile-18 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)39th percentile-33 vs school

By subject vs South Dakota (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts58%+8 vs state

Mathematics52%+8 vs state

Science48%+7 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Groton Area Middle School - 04 and help other families decide.

Rate Groton Area Middle School - 04

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Groton Area Middle School - 04

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts (2026)				Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)				Smarter Balanced Assessments Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Groton Area Middle School - 04	Public	6-8	502 N 2nd St	Groton	57445	Brown County	Groton Area School District 06-6	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 397-8381	132	10	12.9	18.9%	123 (93.2%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.5%)	67.1	41^st of 151 public middle schools	72.8%		66.8	69^th of 246 public middle schools	72.0%	28	49.0	72.0	50.0	57.6	61.2	52.0	40.0	51.8	47.5	$10,504	$00	$10,504
Langford Area Middle School - 03	Public	6-8	206 Chestnut St	Langford	57454	Marshall County	Langford Area School District 45-5	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 493-6454	44	3	14.9	43.2%	39 (88.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (4.5%)	59.6	61^st of 151 public middle schools	59.6%		55.4	112^th of 246 public middle schools	54.5%	51	62.5	26.7	60.0	50.0	56.3	40.0	60.0	52.2	40.0	$11,875	$00	$11,875
Holgate Middle School - 02	Public	6-8	2200 N Dakota St	Aberdeen	57401	Brown County	Aberdeen School District 06-1	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 725-7700	497	34	14.4	31.2%	376 (75.7%)	6 (1.2%)	30 (6.0%)	17 (3.4%)	25 (5.0%)	5 (1.0%)	38 (7.6%)	56.3	69^th of 151 public middle schools	54.3%		67.5	65^th of 246 public middle schools	73.6%	4	40.6	48.5	66.0	51.3	38.8	49.1	53.9	47.0	43.6	$11,438	$325	$11,114
Simmons Middle School - 03	Public	6-8	1300 S 3rd St	Aberdeen	57401	Brown County	Aberdeen School District 06-1	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 725-7900	464	31	14.9	48.5%	288 (62.1%)	13 (2.8%)	51 (11.0%)	25 (5.4%)	41 (8.8%)	2 (0.4%)	44 (9.5%)	44.2	90^th of 151 public middle schools	40.4%		53.4	120^th of 246 public middle schools	51.2%	30	48.3	41.5	51.4	47.0	39.6	42.8	41.7	41.4	34.0	$11,702	$325	$11,377

Frequently Asked Questions about Groton Area Middle School - 04

Is Groton Area Middle School - 04 a good school?

Groton Area Middle School - 04 ranks 41^st of 151 South Dakota middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What high school do graduates of Groton Area Middle School - 04 attend?

Students who attend Groton Area Middle School - 04 usually go on to attend Groton Area High School - 01

What district is Groton Area Middle School - 04 in?

Groton Area School District 06-6

What is the racial makeup of Groton Area Middle School - 04?

Students at Groton Area Middle School - 04 are 93% White, 5% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

How many students attend Groton Area Middle School - 04?

In the 2024-25 school year, 132 students attended Groton Area Middle School - 04.

Rate Groton Area Middle School - 04!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

SDSouth Dakota Middle School Rankings

SDSouth Dakota District Rankings

Schools in Groton, SD

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Groton Area Middle School - 04!

Latest South Dakota data All new data »

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNewNov 6, 2026

2025–26 SD ACT & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresNewNov 6, 2026

2024–25 attendance data & graduation rates (updated)NewNov 1, 2026

2025–26 immunization ratesOct 24, 2026

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.