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McCook Central Elementary - 02

Q: Is McCook Central Elementary - 02 a good school?

McCook Central Elementary - 02 ranks 175 th of 300 South Dakota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

175^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 300 South Dakota Elementary Schools

Better than 42% of South Dakota elementary schools

Summary

McCook Central Elementary - 02 is a public elementary school located in Salem, South Dakota, serving grades PK-4 with a total enrollment of 208 students. The school is part of the McCook Central School District 43-7, which is ranked 98 out of 147 school districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

McCook Central Elementary - 02 has consistently performed below the state average in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics proficiency across all grades. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school's ELA proficiency rate was 48.48% compared to the state average of 50.93%, and its Mathematics proficiency rate was 41.41% compared to the state average of 43.49%. The school's performance in Science proficiency for 5th grade is also significantly lower than the state average, with a 20% proficiency rate compared to the state's 40.54%. Additionally, McCook Central Elementary - 02 has experienced high rates of chronic absenteeism, reaching 20.2% in the 2024-2025 school year, which is significantly higher than the state's average.

Comparing the school's performance to nearby schools, Goldenview Colony School - 04, another school within the same district, has significantly lower test scores and a higher chronic absenteeism rate compared to McCook Central Elementary - 02. In contrast, schools like Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 and Orland Colony Elementary - 04, which are located within a 15-mile radius, consistently outperform McCook Central Elementary - 02 in both ELA and Mathematics proficiency.

225

Students ?

12.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,387

Per pupil spending ?

25.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

200 E Essex
Salem, SD 57058

(605) 425-2264

District: McCook Central School District 43-7

Students who attend McCook Central Elementary - 02 usually attend:

Middle:	McCook Central Middle School - 03
High:	McCook Central High School - 01

Racial breakdown:

White:

92.0%

Two or more races:

4.4%

Hispanic:

3.6%

See top rated South Dakota elementary schools

Compare McCook Central Elementary - 02 to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 23rd percentile in 2015 → 42nd in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 19 percentile points since 2015

Worth a look

!Test scores below the South Dakota average (42% vs 47% meeting standards)

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

!Science scores 21 pts below the South Dakota average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school42%

District avg40%

South Dakota avg47%

175^th of 300

South Dakota public elementary schools ?

Bottom 42%▲ up 19 pts since 2015

From bottom 23% (2015) to bottom 42% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of South Dakota Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 2Elementary Schools in the McCook Central School District 43-7

98^th of 147McCook Central School District 43-7 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
2025	47.5	175 of 300	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.4	119 of 201	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	44.9	113 of 204	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	15.1	182 of 202	9.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	5.5	197 of 202	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	41.3	130 of 206	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.1	145 of 204	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	30.5	162 of 207	21.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	44.6	132 of 206	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2015	34.6	161 of 209	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	58.9	94 of 201	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2012	50.0	139 of 214	35.0%	★★☆☆☆
2011	57.0	107 of 205	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2010	70.6	52 of 206	74.8%	★★★★☆
2009	56.9	99 of 196	49.5%	★★★☆☆
2008	54.9	117 of 194	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2007	64.1	71 of 194	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2006	72.0	38 of 197	80.7%	★★★★☆
2005	69.5	51 of 194	73.7%	★★★★☆
2004	65.9	67 of 189	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2003	60.3	74 of 187	60.4%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	38.4	199 of 291	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.6	96 of 165	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	17.1	138 of 154	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	15.4	162 of 163	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	39.9	156 of 237	34.2%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	54.7	140 of 292	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.2	86 of 161	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	68.7	49 of 166	70.5%	★★★★☆
2022	23.6	126 of 154	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	8.2	151 of 157	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	36.2	113 of 160	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	31.8	132 of 170	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	41.5	39 of 58	32.8%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	38.3	109 of 165	33.9%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	45.8	119 of 248	52.0%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	43.4	188 of 287	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	41.4	120 of 184	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	35.7	130 of 185	29.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	10.4	177 of 184	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	3.4	184 of 185	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	33.9	145 of 191	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.6	161 of 186	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Male (2025)52nd percentile+10 vs school

Special Education (2025)52nd percentile+10 vs school

White (2025)34th percentile-7 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)34th percentile-7 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)34th percentile-8 vs school

Military Connected (2025)33rd percentile-9 vs school

Female (2025)32nd percentile-10 vs school

Hispanic (2025)1st percentile-41 vs school

By subject vs South Dakota (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts48%~ state avg

Mathematics41%~ state avg

Science20%-21 vs state

★

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Schools Near McCook Central Elementary - 02

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts (2025)							Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)							Smarter Balanced Assessments Science (2025)			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/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 5th Grade	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 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	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 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Science 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
McCook Central Elementary - 02	Public	PK, KG-5	200 E Essex	Salem	57058	McCook County	McCook Central School District 43-7	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(605) 425-2264	225	18	12.5	25.3%	207 (92.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (4.4%)	47.5	175^th of 300 public elementary schools	41.7%		45.4	119^th of 201 public elementary schools	40.8%	56	50.0	56.8	36.7				48.5	50.0	43.2	30.0				41.4	20.0			$14,387	$1,047	$13,340
Goldenview Colony School - 04	Public	K-8	25473 438th Ave	Salem	57058	McCook County	McCook Central School District 43-7	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 425-2264	28	1	23.3		28 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32.1	226^th of 300 public elementary schools	24.7%					(n/a)	33.3	25.0	0.0	66.7	50.0	0.0	31.3	66.7	25.0	0.0	33.3	50.0	0.0	31.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	$12,380	$00	$12,380
Canistota Elementary - 02	Public	PK, KG-5	431 4th Ave	Canistota	57012	McCook County	Canistota School District 43-1	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(605) 296-3458	141	13	10.6	28.4%	121 (85.8%)	1 (0.7%)	4 (2.8%)	1 (0.7%)	10 (7.1%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.8%)	74.5	54^th of 300 public elementary schools	82.0%		57.9	85^th of 201 public elementary schools	57.7%	31	80.0	70.8	50.0				68.3	85.0	75.0	43.8				70.0	25.0			$15,124	$534	$14,591
Montrose Elementary - 02	Public	PK, KG-5	309 S Church Ave	Montrose	57048	McCook County	Montrose School District 43-2	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(605) 363-5025	108	10	10.9	13.9%	100 (92.6%)	1 (0.9%)	3 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.7%)	75.4	48^th of 300 public elementary schools	84.0%		57.9	84^th of 201 public elementary schools	58.2%	36	57.1	83.3	72.2				68.6	61.9	75.0	38.9				56.9	61.1			$13,873	$594	$13,279
Orland Colony Elementary - 04	Public	K-8	45050 246th St	Montrose	57048	McCook County	Montrose School District 43-2	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(605) 363-5025	42	3	14.0		42 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	72.5	67^th of 300 public elementary schools	77.7%					(n/a)	80.0	66.7	50.0	83.3	50.0	60.0	68.0	40.0	66.7	0.0	66.7	25.0	60.0	48.0	50.0	60.0	57.1	$12,046	$269	$11,777
Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02	Public	PK, KG-5	510 N Main St	Bridgewater	57319	McCook County	Bridgewater-Emery 30-3	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(605) 729-2541	143	12	11.7	30.8%	134 (93.7%)	1 (0.7%)	4 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.1%)	77.3	39^th of 300 public elementary schools	87.0%		85.8	14^th of 201 public elementary schools	93.0%	25	58.6	56.3	65.2				60.3	82.8	62.5	73.9				75.0	43.5			$15,142	$906	$14,236
Graceville Colony - 07	Public	K-8	23843 - 446A Ave	Winfred	57076	Lake County	Chester Area School District 39-1	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 256-2267	23	2	11.5		23 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12.6	272^nd of 300 public elementary schools	9.3%					(n/a)	0.0	0.0	0.0		0.0	100.0	18.2	0.0	0.0	50.0		0.0	50.0	18.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	$12,045	$417	$11,628
West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02	Public	K-5	600 S Main St	Humboldt	57035	Minnehaha County	West Central School District 49-7	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(605) 363-3131	310	21	14.8	11.3%	288 (92.9%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.5%)	72.8	64^th of 300 public elementary schools	78.7%		61.6	73^rd of 201 public elementary schools	63.7%	9	50.0	49.6	64.3				55.7	67.9	67.3	64.3				66.1	46.9			$10,596	$531	$10,065
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04	Public	K-8	24243 456th Ave	Madison	57042	Lake County	Chester Area School District 39-1	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 489-2411	41	3	13.6		41 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20	251^st of 300 public elementary schools	16.3%					(n/a)	33.3	25.0	25.0	0.0	0.0	50.0	25.0	16.7	25.0	0.0	20.0	0.0	25.0	16.7	25.0	25.0	25.0	$10,858	$417	$10,441
Shannon Colony Elementary - 08	Public	K-8	43945 235th St.	Winfred	57076	Miner County	Howard School District 48-3	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 772-4443	27	2	11.9		27 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	66.4	99^th of 300 public elementary schools	67.0%					(n/a)	40.0		50.0	66.7	50.0	66.7	52.9	80.0		50.0	100.0	25.0	100.0	70.6	0.0	66.7	40.0	$13,770	$426	$13,344

Frequently Asked Questions about McCook Central Elementary - 02

What district is McCook Central Elementary - 02 in?

McCook Central School District 43-7

Is McCook Central Elementary - 02 a good school?

McCook Central Elementary - 02 ranks 175^th of 300 South Dakota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend McCook Central Elementary - 02?

In the 2024-25 school year, 225 students attended McCook Central Elementary - 02.

What schools do graduates of McCook Central Elementary - 02 attend?

Students who attend McCook Central Elementary - 02 usually go on to attend:

Middle : McCook Central Middle School - 03
High : McCook Central High School - 01

What is the racial makeup of McCook Central Elementary - 02?

Students at McCook Central Elementary - 02 are 92% White, 4% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic.

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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.