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Chester Middle School - 03

Q: Is Chester Middle School - 03 a good school?

Chester Middle School - 03 ranks 55 th of 151 South Dakota middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

55^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 151 South Dakota Middle Schools

Better than 64% of South Dakota middle schools

Summary

Chester Middle School - 03 serves 67 students in grades 6–8 in Chester, South Dakota, and its results can be compared with nine nearby schools. The school’s clearest concern is eighth-grade science: 26% were proficient in 2025–2026, 14 points below the state and the second-lowest result among the eight nearby schools with reported scores.

The school is strongest in ELA, where 62% were proficient—13 points above the state, 23 above the district, and third-highest among the ten schools compared; the nearby-school average was 54%. Math was also above the state and district, at 49% versus 44% and 30%, respectively, but ranked fifth among the ten schools, near the nearby average of 44%. The science result was below the state’s 41% but slightly above the district’s 24%, compared with a nearby-school average of 47%. The concern is concentrated in science, not across all eighth-grade subjects: eighth-grade ELA and math were both above state results.

ELA and math have increased overall since 2022–2023, by 6 and 4 points, respectively, though results varied from year to year. Science is less reassuring: after reaching 42% in 2024–2025, it fell to 26% in 2025–2026, a drop of 15 points, while the state result fell 2 points. SchoolDigger placed the school at the 64th percentile with 3 stars in 2025–2026, fifth among the ten schools, down from the 78th percentile the previous year. Its student-teacher ratio was 11.2 in 2024–2025, below the nearby average of about 13; 19% were free/reduced lunch eligible that year, compared with a nearby average of 25%. SchoolDigger’s Female Students measure was at the 89th percentile, 25 points above the school overall, while its Male Students measure rose from the 32nd percentile in 2023–2024 to the 76th in 2025–2026.

Students ?

11.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,142

Per pupil spending ?

19.4%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016

(605) 489-2411

District: Chester Area School District 39-1

Students who attend Chester Middle School - 03 usually attend:

High:

Chester High School - 01

Feeder schools for Chester Middle School - 03:

Elementary:	Chester Elementary -02
	Rustic Acres Colony Elementary - 04

Racial breakdown:

White:

92.5%

Two or more races:

4.5%

Hispanic:

3.0%

See top rated South Dakota middle schools

Compare Chester Middle School - 03 to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 93rd percentile in 2016 → 64th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the South Dakota average (52% vs 46% meeting standards)

✓Above the South Dakota median (64th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 29 percentile points since 2016

!Science scores 14 pts below the South Dakota average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg34%

South Dakota avg46%

55^th of 151

South Dakota public middle schools ?

Top 36%▼ down 29 pts since 2016

From top 7% (2016) to top 36% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of South Dakota Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

100^th of 126Chester Area School District 39-1 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
2026	63.9	55 of 151	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	69.4	54 of 246	78.0%	★★★★☆
2024	49.0	80 of 147	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	59.8	52 of 150	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.3	47 of 143	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	72.0	27 of 145	81.4%	★★★★☆
2019	57.3	61 of 149	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	82.2	12 of 147	91.8%	★★★★★
2017	76.2	25 of 146	82.9%	★★★★☆
2016	81.9	11 of 147	92.5%	★★★★★
2015	90.7	4 of 145	97.2%	★★★★★
2013	53.7	80 of 145	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2012	42.4	101 of 146	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2011	42.7	101 of 140	27.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	58.5	64 of 139	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2009	53.3	78 of 139	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2008	63.8	44 of 136	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2007	43.3	105 of 136	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	49.6	89 of 141	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2005	66.2	38 of 136	72.1%	★★★★☆
2004	64.1	39 of 134	70.9%	★★★★☆
2003	39.7	102 of 133	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2026	79.5	13 of 115	88.7%	★★★★☆
2025	69.3	42 of 229	81.7%	★★★★☆
2024	68.7	23 of 107	78.5%	★★★★☆
2023	67.9	25 of 112	77.7%	★★★★☆
2022	73.7	16 of 102	84.3%	★★★★☆
2021	65.7	26 of 113	77.0%	★★★★☆
2019	75.6	14 of 107	86.9%	★★★★☆
2018	88.8	2 of 99	98.0%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	56.2	29 of 117	75.2%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	58.0	58 of 187	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	65.1	19 of 79	75.9%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2026	67.5	28 of 117	76.1%	★★★★☆
2025	64.9	63 of 233	73.0%	★★★★☆
2024	38.6	78 of 115	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	50.3	57 of 116	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	45.7	61 of 104	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	74.3	17 of 115	85.2%	★★★★☆
2019	28.8	83 of 110	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	66.5	28 of 111	74.8%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	83.1	6 of 115	94.8%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2025	62.5	32 of 181	82.3%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Dakota percentile	Rating
2026	53.6	63 of 133	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	61.9	82 of 230	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	39.6	92 of 132	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	46.3	78 of 136	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	51.0	63 of 132	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	65.5	32 of 136	76.5%	★★★★☆
2019	47.1	75 of 136	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	75.5	19 of 131	85.5%	★★★★☆

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)

Multi-racial (2025)95th percentile+17 vs school

Female (2026)89th percentile+25 vs school

Special Education (2025)82nd percentile+4 vs school

Male (2026)76th percentile+12 vs school

Hispanic (2025)75th percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)69th percentile-9 vs school

White (2026)53rd percentile-11 vs school

By subject vs South Dakota (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts62%+13 vs state

Mathematics49%+5 vs state

Science26%-14 vs state

★

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Schools Near Chester Middle School - 03

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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 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 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
Chester Middle School - 03	Public	6-8	102 2nd Ave	Chester	57016	Lake County	Chester Area School District 39-1	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 489-2411	67	6	11.2	19.4%	62 (92.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (4.5%)	63.9	55^th of 151 public middle schools	63.6%		69.4	54^th of 246 public middle schools	78.0%	1		57.9	69.6	57.9	62.3		47.4	52.2	47.4	49.2		26.3		$13,142	$417	$12,725
Colman-Egan Junior High - 02	Public	7-8	200 S Loban Ave	Colman	57017	Moody County	Colman-Egan School District 50-5	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 534-3534	36	3	10.9	33.3%	30 (83.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (8.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (8.3%)	24.8	123^rd of 151 public middle schools	18.5%		20.9	206^th of 246 public middle schools	16.3%	83			48.1	22.2	37.8			37.0	16.7	28.9				$11,886	$355	$11,531
Tri-Valley Middle School - 03	Public	6-8	46450 252nd St	Colton	57018	Minnehaha County	Tri-Valley School District 49-6	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 446-3538	296	20	14.9	22.6%	237 (80.1%)	20 (6.8%)	20 (6.8%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.0%)	1 (0.3%)	15 (5.1%)	65.4	46^th of 151 public middle schools	69.5%		55.5	111^th of 246 public middle schools	54.9%	65		54.9	51.4	61.4	56.1		32.9	51.4	71.1	51.9		48.2		$11,483	$232	$11,251
Madison Middle School - 02	Public	6-8	830 NE 9th St	Madison	57042	Lake County	Madison Central School District 39-2	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 256-7717	270	22	12.2	23.3%	223 (82.6%)	3 (1.1%)	28 (10.4%)	3 (1.1%)	4 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.3%)	61.4	58^th of 151 public middle schools	61.6%		64.4	78^th of 246 public middle schools	68.3%	20		52.1	54.4	64.0	57.0		45.8	40.2	47.0	44.4		49.0		$11,507	$300	$11,207
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03	Public	5-8	1216 N Garfield Ave	Dell Rapids	57022	Minnehaha County	Dell Rapids School District 49-3	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 428-5473	295	18	16.1	15.6%	273 (92.5%)	2 (0.7%)	6 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.0%)	1 (0.3%)	10 (3.4%)	86.2	9^th of 151 public middle schools	94.0%		86.8	8^th of 246 public middle schools	96.7%	1	53.2	61.8	74.2	57.2	61.0	49.4	76.3	64.5	62.9	63.1	32.9	58.6	45.0	$10,900	$427	$10,473
Oldham-Ramona-Rutland Junior High	Public	6-8	102 School St	Rutland	57057	Lake County	Oldham-Ramona-Rutland School District 39-6	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(605) 586-4352	41	5	8.1	19.5%	39 (95.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (4.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30.7	113^th of 151 public middle schools	25.2%		36.6	173^rd of 246 public middle schools	29.7%	60		41.7		50.0	48.6		33.3		28.6	31.4		21.4		$15,910	$1,194	$14,717
Baltic Middle School - 03	Public	6-8	1 Bulldog Ave	Baltic	57003	Minnehaha County	Baltic School District 49-1	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 529-5461	110	8	13.4	19.1%	100 (90.9%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.7%)	77.8	17^th of 151 public middle schools	88.7%		68.5	60^th of 246 public middle schools	75.6%	43		57.5	76.5	64.3	65.5		52.5	50.0	54.8	52.6		57.1		$10,459	$361	$10,099
Montrose Middle School - 03	Public	6-8	309 S Church Ave	Montrose	57048	McCook County	Montrose School District 43-2	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 363-5025	53	4	12.2	22.6%	49 (92.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (5.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	72.7	29^th of 151 public middle schools	80.8%		80.6	23^rd of 246 public middle schools	90.7%	6		57.9	56.3	76.9	62.5		36.8	56.3	84.6	56.3		53.8		$14,480	$132	$14,348
West Central Middle School - 04	Public	6-8	705 E 2nd St	Hartford	57033	Minnehaha County	West Central School District 49-7	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(605) 528-3799	297	20	15.0	13.8%	269 (90.6%)	3 (1.0%)	8 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.7%)	47.9	85^th of 151 public middle schools	43.7%		56.2	109^th of 246 public middle schools	55.7%	24		54.1	53.3	43.9	50.5		43.9	37.1	40.8	40.5		37.8		$11,327	$259	$11,068
Flandreau Middle School - 03	Public	5-8	700 W Community Dr	Flandreau	57028	Moody County	Flandreau School District 50-3	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(605) 997-2705	193	19	10.1	52.3%	80 (41.5%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (13.0%)	2 (1.0%)	63 (32.6%)	2 (1.0%)	21 (10.9%)	31.4	112^th of 151 public middle schools	25.8%		42	162^nd of 246 public middle schools	34.1%	50	48.9	33.3	45.8	51.4	44.1	35.6	33.3	27.1	25.7	30.7	37.8	42.9	40.0	$14,765	$995	$13,770

Frequently Asked Questions about Chester Middle School - 03

What high school do graduates of Chester Middle School - 03 attend?

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

What is the racial makeup of Chester Middle School - 03?

Students at Chester Middle School - 03 are 93% White, 4% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic.

What district is Chester Middle School - 03 in?

Chester Area School District 39-1

Is Chester Middle School - 03 a good school?

Chester Middle School - 03 ranks 55^th of 151 South Dakota middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Chester Middle School - 03?

In the 2024-25 school year, 67 students attended Chester Middle School - 03.

Rate Chester Middle School - 03!

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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.