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Canistota Elementary - 02

Q: Is Canistota Elementary - 02 a good school?

Canistota Elementary - 02 ranks 54 th of 300 South Dakota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

54^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 300 South Dakota Elementary Schools

Better than 82% of South Dakota elementary schools

Summary

Canistota Elementary - 02 is a top-performing public elementary school serving grades PK-5 in Canistota, South Dakota. Part of the Canistota School District 43-1, the school has consistently ranked among the best in the state, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for multiple years.

Canistota Elementary - 02 stands out for its exceptional academic performance, with students significantly outpacing state and district averages on Smarter Balanced Assessments in both English Language Arts and Mathematics. In 2024-2025, the school had 68.33% of students proficient or better in ELA and 70% in Math, compared to 50.93% and 43.49% statewide, respectively. The school's performance is particularly strong in 3rd grade, where 80% of students were proficient or better in ELA and 85% in Math.

Beyond its strong academic results, Canistota Elementary - 02 also stands out for its focus on equity and inclusion, ranking highly for its performance with diverse student subgroups, including female students, Native American students, and military-connected students. The school's higher-than-average spending per student ($13,547 in 2023-2024) and small student-teacher ratio (ranging from 11.6 to 15.4) may contribute to its success. While the school's chronic absenteeism rates are relatively low, it could still be an area for further improvement. Overall, Canistota Elementary - 02 is an exemplary school that provides a high-quality education to its students.

141

Students ?

10.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,124

Per pupil spending ?

28.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

431 4th Ave
Canistota, SD 57012

(605) 296-3458

District: Canistota School District 43-1

Students who attend Canistota Elementary - 02 usually attend:

Middle:	Canistota Middle School - 03
High:	Canistota High School - 01

Racial breakdown:

White:

85.8%

American Indian:

7.1%

Hispanic:

2.8%

See top rated South Dakota elementary schools

Compare Canistota Elementary - 02 to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 93rd percentile in 2015 → 82nd in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the South Dakota average (64% vs 47% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 18% of South Dakota elementary schools

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 11 percentile points since 2015

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

!Science scores 16 pts below the South Dakota average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school64%

District avg49%

South Dakota avg47%

54^th of 300

South Dakota public elementary schools ?

Top 18%▼ down 11 pts since 2015

From top 7% (2015) to top 18% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of South Dakota Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

50^th of 147Canistota School District 43-1 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	74.5	54 of 300	82.0%	★★★★☆
2024	57.9	85 of 201	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	77.0	33 of 204	83.8%	★★★★☆
2022	86.9	15 of 202	92.6%	★★★★★
2021	86.7	15 of 202	92.6%	★★★★★
2019	98.3	2 of 206	99.0%	★★★★★
2018	82.6	16 of 204	92.2%	★★★★★
2017	68.1	55 of 207	73.4%	★★★★☆
2016	78.5	20 of 206	90.3%	★★★★★
2015	81.9	15 of 209	92.8%	★★★★★
2013	71.3	45 of 201	77.6%	★★★★☆
2012	81.5	16 of 214	92.5%	★★★★★
2011	76.1	25 of 205	87.8%	★★★★☆
2010	72.7	44 of 206	78.6%	★★★★☆
2009	49.0	129 of 196	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2008	58.1	103 of 194	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2007	73.7	28 of 194	85.6%	★★★★☆
2006	72.4	36 of 197	81.7%	★★★★☆
2005	67.6	58 of 194	70.1%	★★★★☆
2004	71.9	38 of 189	79.9%	★★★★☆
2003	62.3	68 of 187	63.6%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	79.7	28 of 291	90.4%	★★★★★
2024	75.9	30 of 165	81.8%	★★★★☆

Foster Care

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	30.9	43 of 61	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	49.9	107 of 237	54.9%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	62.5	98 of 292	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.7	85 of 161	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	71.5	39 of 166	76.5%	★★★★☆
2021	87.3	11 of 157	93.0%	★★★★★
2018	82.0	17 of 170	90.0%	★★★★★

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	85.4	9 of 58	84.5%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	45.8	85 of 165	48.5%	★★★☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	81.2	8 of 152	94.7%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	61.5	59 of 248	76.2%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	70.6	60 of 287	79.1%	★★★★☆
2024	52.7	88 of 184	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	72.4	42 of 185	77.3%	★★★★☆
2022	85.3	14 of 184	92.4%	★★★★★
2021	81.1	16 of 185	91.4%	★★★★★
2019	97.4	2 of 191	99.0%	★★★★★
2018	82.7	11 of 186	94.1%	★★★★★

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)

Native American (2025)95th percentile+13 vs school

Female (2025)90th percentile+8 vs school

Military Connected (2025)84th percentile~ school

White (2025)79th percentile-3 vs school

Special Education (2025)76th percentile-6 vs school

Male (2025)66th percentile-16 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)55th percentile-27 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)48th percentile-34 vs school

Foster Care (2025)30th percentile-52 vs school

By subject vs South Dakota (2024-2025) ?

Mathematics70%+27 vs state

English Language Arts68%+17 vs state

Science25%-16 vs state

★

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Schools Near Canistota 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
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
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
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
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
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
Marion Elementary - 02	Public	PK, KG-5	100 S Cedar St	Marion	57043	Turner County	Marion School District 60-3	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(605) 648-3615	100	11	9.4	38.0%	94 (94.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	56.2	143^rd of 300 public elementary schools	52.3%		39.9	130^th of 201 public elementary schools	35.3%	13	41.2	60.0	46.2				48.9	41.2	53.3	38.5				44.4	53.9			$16,013	$657	$15,356
Parker Elementary - 02	Public	PK, KG-6	335 W 1st St	Parker	57053	Turner County	Parker School District 60-4	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(605) 297-3237	238	19	12.2	19.7%	218 (91.6%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (5.9%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.7%)	52.6	158^th of 300 public elementary schools	47.3%		49.6	109^th of 201 public elementary schools	45.8%	49	25.8	43.2	62.5	45.5			43.2	41.9	27.0	54.2	54.5			43.2	58.3			$10,566	$392	$10,174
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
West Central Hartford Elementary - 05	Public	K-3	303 E 2nd St	Hartford	57033	Minnehaha County	West Central School District 49-7	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(605) 528-3215	368	25	14.8	13.3%	337 (91.6%)	5 (1.4%)	11 (3.0%)	1 (0.3%)	5 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.4%)								(n/a)	56.0							64.3										$10,715	$574	$10,141

Frequently Asked Questions about Canistota Elementary - 02

Is Canistota Elementary - 02 a good school?

Canistota Elementary - 02 ranks 54^th of 300 South Dakota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Canistota Elementary - 02?

Students at Canistota Elementary - 02 are 86% White, 7% American Indian, 3% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

What district is Canistota Elementary - 02 in?

Canistota School District 43-1

What schools do graduates of Canistota Elementary - 02 attend?

Students who attend Canistota Elementary - 02 usually go on to attend:

Middle : Canistota Middle School - 03
High : Canistota High School - 01

How many students attend Canistota Elementary - 02?

In the 2024-25 school year, 141 students attended Canistota Elementary - 02.

Rate Canistota Elementary - 02!

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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.