Doland Junior High - 02

Doland Junior High - 02 is a small public middle school located in Doland, South Dakota, serving grades 7-8 with a total enrollment of just 15 students. The school is part of the Doland School District 56-2, which is ranked 116 out of 147 school districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. Despite its small size, Doland Junior High - 02 has a long history of low performance, ranking 116 out of 133 South Dakota middle schools in the 2002-2003 school year and 169 out of 246 in the 2024-2025 school year, with a 2-star rating.

The school's academic performance is a significant concern, with only 40% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and Mathematics in the 2024-2025 school year, compared to the state averages of 50.93% and 43.49%, respectively. This performance has been declining over the years, with proficiency rates dropping from 57.14% in ELA and 42.86% in Math in 2020-2021 to 40% in both subjects in 2024-2025. Additionally, the school has struggled with high chronic absenteeism rates, reaching 20.2% in the 2024-2025 school year, significantly higher than the 2.9% and 0.0% rates in the previous two years.

While the school's overall performance is low, there is a notable gender gap, with male students at Doland Junior High - 02 ranking 118 out of 233 South Dakota middle schools, with a 3-star rating, while female students ranked 185 out of 229, with a 1-star rating. Interestingly, the school stands out for its exceptional performance in serving students with special needs, ranking 6 out of 181 South Dakota middle schools for its special education students, earning a 5-star rating. This suggests the school may have effective strategies in place to support this student population, which could provide valuable insights for improving outcomes for all students.