McPherson County Schools & Education
McPherson County, South Dakota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
41/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
75.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
75.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,902
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,409
School Score
41/100
Higher = better
State avg 38/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#29
of 65 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: McPherson County
School Verdict
McPherson County has average school quality (score: 41/100) with a graduation rate of 75.0%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
McPherson County spends $8,902 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for McPherson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 7% above the South Dakota average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 7.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 20% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in McPherson County, South Dakota
Intimate Educational Settings in McPherson
McPherson County maintains 10 public schools, including five elementary and three high schools. These facilities, including one alternative school, serve a total enrollment of 373 students. Two school districts manage this highly distributed rural network.
Investing Heavily in Individual Student Success
The county invests $8,902 per pupil, surpassing the South Dakota state average of $7,409. While the 75.0% graduation rate trails the national average, the school score of 49.7 remains nearly identical to the state average. This level of funding supports extremely small class sizes across the county.
Leola and Eureka District Leaders
Leola School District 44-2 is the county's largest, managing seven schools for 210 students. Eureka School District 44-1 serves the remaining 163 students through three specialized facilities. The county lacks charter schools, focusing instead on traditional district management.
The State's Smallest Average School Sizes
Schools here are remarkably intimate, with an average of only 37 students per school. Eureka Elementary is the largest site with 105 students, while Spring Creek Colony Elementary serves just 32. This rural landscape provides a level of one-on-one instruction that is rare in larger counties.
Find Your Place in a Micro-School Community
McPherson County is ideal for families who value ultra-small school environments and higher-than-average per-pupil spending. Real estate in Leola or Eureka places you within districts where every student receives focused attention. Explore local listings to find a home where your child won't just be a number.
School Overview
Total Schools
10
in McPherson County
Total Enrollment
373
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in McPherson County
Leola School District 44-2
Eureka School District 44-1
10 Public Schools in McPherson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka Elementary - 02 | Eureka School District 44-1 | PK–6 | Primary | 105 |
| Leola Elementary - 02 | Leola School District 44-2 | PK–5 | Primary | 59 |
| Leola High School - 01 | Leola School District 44-2 | 9–12 | High | 39 |
| Eureka High School - 01 | Eureka School District 44-1 | 9–12 | High | 34 |
| Spring Creek Colony Elementary - 04 | Leola School District 44-2 | KG–8 | Primary | 32 |
| Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05 | Leola School District 44-2 | KG–8 | Primary | 30 |
| Leola Jr. High - 03 | Leola School District 44-2 | 6–8 | Middle | 25 |
| Eureka Jr. High - 03 | Eureka School District 44-1 | 7–8 | Middle | 24 |
| Grassland Colony Elementary - 06 | Leola School District 44-2 | KG–8 | Primary | 16 |
| Leola Alternative School - 07 | Leola School District 44-2 | 9–12 | Alternative | 9 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,902
State avg $7,409
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in McPherson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in McPherson County?
How much does McPherson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in McPherson County, South Dakota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in McPherson County, South Dakota?
McPherson County maintains 10 public schools, including five elementary and three high schools. These facilities, including one alternative school, serve a total enrollment of 373 students. Two school districts manage this highly distributed rural network.
How do schools in McPherson County perform academically?
The county invests $8,902 per pupil, surpassing the South Dakota state average of $7,409. While the 75.0% graduation rate trails the national average, the school score of 49.7 remains nearly identical to the state average. This level of funding supports extremely small class sizes across the county.
What are the major school districts in McPherson County, South Dakota?
Leola School District 44-2 is the county's largest, managing seven schools for 210 students. Eureka School District 44-1 serves the remaining 163 students through three specialized facilities. The county lacks charter schools, focusing instead on traditional district management.
What is the school experience like in McPherson County?
Schools here are remarkably intimate, with an average of only 37 students per school. Eureka Elementary is the largest site with 105 students, while Spring Creek Colony Elementary serves just 32. This rural landscape provides a level of one-on-one instruction that is rare in larger counties.
How can I find homes near good schools in McPherson County, South Dakota?
McPherson County is ideal for families who value ultra-small school environments and higher-than-average per-pupil spending. Real estate in Leola or Eureka places you within districts where every student receives focused attention. Explore local listings to find a home where your child won't just be a number.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.