Item: Custer School District 16-1
Rating: 5
Author: 51�Թ�������

Home > South Dakota > Custer County

Custer School District 16-1

527 Montgomery St
Custer, SD 57730

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (605) 673-3154

Top Rankings

Custer School District 16-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:

Overview

This School District

This State (SD)

# Schools

6 Schools

734 Schools

# Students

906 Students

146,041 Students

# Teachers

75 Teachers

10,645 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

12:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
Kind	84	69
1	63	63
2	54	64
3	67	61
4	58	62
5	66	63
6	76	64
7	76	64
8	81	65
9	80	71
10	56	66
11	77	61
12	68	57

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District Rank

Custer School District 16-1, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 146 school districts in South Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 92% has decreased from 95% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (SD)

#77 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1
2023	#77
2022	#89
2021	#80
2019	#101
2018	#122
2017	#122
2016	#127
2015	#133
2013	#120
2012	#84
2011	#83

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47%

42%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	47%	42%
2022	41%	42%
2021	40%	43%
2019	40%	46%
2018	35%	47%
2017	38%	47%
2016	34%	45%
2015	31%	42%
2013	66%	73%
2012	75%	75%
2011	74%	76%

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51%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2022	51%	51%
2021	54%	52%
2019	54%	54%
2018	35%	54%
2017	44%	53%
2016	43%	52%
2015	39%	49%
2013	73%	74%
2012	80%	75%
2011	77%	75%
2010	79%	75%

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52%

42%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2022	52%	42%
2021	40%	42%

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92%

82%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	92%	82%
2022	77%	82%
2021	82%	80%
2020	92%	84%
2019	90%	83%
2018	95%	82%
2017	90%	82%
2016	87%	82%
2015	87%	82%
2014	87%	81%
2013	82%	81%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.27

0.53

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	0.28	0.51
2022	0.28	0.50
2021	0.27	0.50
2020	0.29	0.50
2019	0.29	0.50
2018	0.26	0.47
2017	0.26	0.47
2016	0.27	0.42
2015	0.27	0.41
2014	0.26	0.40
2013	0.26	0.38
2012	0.24	0.38
2011	0.20	0.40
2010	0.21	0.37
2009	0.20	0.38
2008	0.20	0.30
2007	0.16	0.28
2006	0.15	0.34
2005	0.18	0.28
2004	0.16	0.34
2003	0.16	0.32
2002	0.13	0.31
2001	0.14	0.31
2000	0.15	0.27
1999	0.14	0.29
1998	0.09	0.29
1997	0.13	0.29
1996	0.10	0.28
1995	0.09	0.28
1994	0.08	0.27
1993	0.08	0.25

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% American Indian

14%

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	3%	14%
2022	4%	14%
2021	5%	14%
2020	6%	16%
2019	6%	16%
2018	5%	16%
2017	5%	16%
2016	6%	12%
2015	6%	11%
2014	6%	11%
2013	7%	11%
2012	5%	12%
2011	5%	17%
2010	6%	16%
2009	7%	17%
2008	6%	12%
2007	6%	11%
2006	4%	17%
2005	6%	11%
2004	5%	16%
2003	4%	16%
2002	5%	15%
2001	5%	15%
2000	5%	14%
1999	6%	14%
1998	3%	14%
1997	6%	14%
1996	4%	14%
1995	4%	14%
1994	4%	13%
1993	4%	12%

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% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1998-2022)
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2022	1%	2%
2012	1%	2%
2011	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%
2008	2%	1%
2006	1%	1%
2003	1%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1995-2023)
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	8%	8%
2022	7%	7%
2021	6%	7%
2020	6%	6%
2019	6%	6%
2018	6%	5%
2017	6%	5%
2016	7%	5%
2015	6%	5%
2014	5%	5%
2013	5%	4%
2012	5%	4%
2011	4%	3%
2010	3%	3%
2009	2%	3%
2008	2%	2%
2007	2%	2%
2006	2%	2%
2005	2%	2%
2004	2%	2%
2003	2%	1%
2002	1%	1%
2001	2%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%
1997	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%

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% Black

n/a

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2001-2023)
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	1%	3%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2018	1%	3%
2017	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	2%
2010	1%	2%
2009	1%	2%
2008	1%	2%
2005	1%	2%
2004	1%	1%
2003	1%	1%
2002	1%	1%
2001	1%	1%

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% White

85%

67%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	85%	68%
2022	84%	69%
2021	85%	69%
2020	84%	69%
2019	84%	69%
2018	86%	71%
2017	86%	71%
2016	85%	75%
2015	85%	76%
2014	86%	77%
2013	86%	78%
2012	87%	78%
2011	89%	76%
2010	89%	78%
2009	89%	77%
2008	89%	83%
2007	92%	84%
2006	92%	80%
2005	91%	84%
2004	92%	80%
2003	92%	81%
2002	93%	82%
2001	92%	82%
2000	92%	86%
1999	92%	83%
1998	95%	83%
1997	93%	83%
1996	95%	84%
1995	95%	84%
1994	96%	84%
1993	95%	86%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	3%	5%
2022	4%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	3%	4%
2019	3%	4%
2018	2%	3%
2017	2%	3%
2016	2%	3%
2015	3%	3%
2014	2%	2%
2013	1%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $15,472 is higher than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $21,682 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

This School District

This State (SD)

Total Revenue

$14 MM

$1,916 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	$14 MM	$6 MM
2022	$13 MM	$5 MM
2021	$14 MM	$6 MM
2020	$13 MM	$5 MM
2019	$13 MM	$5 MM
2018	$12 MM	$5 MM
2017	$11 MM	$5 MM
2016	$11 MM	$4 MM
2015	$10 MM	$4 MM
2014	$11 MM	$4 MM
2012	$10 MM	$4 MM
2011	$11 MM	$4 MM
2010	$10 MM	$4 MM
2009	$10 MM	$3 MM
2008	$10 MM	$3 MM
2007	$11 MM	$3 MM
2006	$11 MM	$3 MM
2005	$10 MM	$3 MM
2004	$8 MM	$3 MM
2003	$8 MM	$2 MM
2002	$7 MM	$2 MM
2001	$7 MM	$2 MM
2000	$7 MM	$2 MM
1999	$7 MM	$2 MM
1998	$7 MM	$2 MM
1997	$7 MM	$2 MM
1996	$6 MM	$2 MM
1995	$6 MM	$2 MM

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Spending

$20 MM

$1,844 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	$20 MM	$5 MM
2022	$13 MM	$5 MM
2021	$20 MM	$5 MM
2020	$13 MM	$5 MM
2019	$11 MM	$5 MM
2018	$11 MM	$5 MM
2017	$11 MM	$5 MM
2016	$10 MM	$4 MM
2015	$13 MM	$3 MM
2014	$9 MM	$4 MM
2012	$10 MM	$3 MM
2011	$16 MM	$4 MM
2010	$13 MM	$3 MM
2009	$10 MM	$3 MM
2008	$10 MM	$3 MM
2007	$10 MM	$3 MM
2006	$10 MM	$3 MM
2005	$15 MM	$3 MM
2004	$9 MM	$2 MM
2003	$7 MM	$3 MM
2002	$7 MM	$2 MM
2001	$7 MM	$2 MM
2000	$8 MM	$2 MM
1999	$7 MM	$2 MM
1998	$7 MM	$2 MM
1997	$6 MM	$2 MM
1996	$6 MM	$2 MM
1995	$6 MM	$2 MM

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Revenue / Student

$15,472

$13,121

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	$15,387	$15,739
2022	$14,185	$14,965
2021	$15,768	$16,342
2020	$14,185	$14,965
2019	$13,481	$14,816
2018	$13,253	$15,113
2017	$12,889	$15,388
2016	$13,003	$14,130
2015	$11,984	$11,732
2014	$12,523	$11,720
2012	$11,615	$11,685
2011	$12,153	$11,891
2010	$11,338	$11,732
2009	$10,198	$10,941
2008	$10,873	$10,856
2007	$10,980	$10,306
2006	$11,110	$10,049
2005	$9,298	$9,356
2004	$8,283	$8,456
2003	$7,691	$8,337
2002	$7,182	$7,799
2001	$7,061	$7,600
2000	$6,534	$7,183
1999	$6,012	$6,671
1998	$6,293	$5,954
1997	$5,646	$5,709
1995	$4,759	$5,253
1992	$4,035	$4,776

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Spending / Student

$21,682

$12,623

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Custer School District 16-1	South Dakota
2023	$21,563	$14,560
2022	$13,538	$14,171
2021	$22,097	$15,118
2020	$13,538	$14,171
2019	$11,704	$14,567
2018	$11,942	$15,244
2017	$12,041	$14,997
2016	$11,468	$13,890
2015	$14,961	$11,206
2014	$10,488	$11,268
2012	$11,491	$10,790
2011	$18,489	$11,832
2010	$14,155	$11,206
2009	$9,804	$10,706
2008	$10,219	$10,238
2007	$9,986	$9,578
2006	$10,580	$9,559
2005	$14,758	$9,435
2004	$8,791	$8,315
2003	$7,403	$8,840
2002	$6,934	$8,399
2001	$6,966	$8,153
2000	$7,049	$7,670
1999	$6,286	$6,645
1998	$6,152	$5,696
1997	$5,353	$5,234
1995	$5,019	$5,109
1992	$3,998	$5,221

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Best Custer School District 16-1 51�Թ�� (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Custer Elementary - 02

(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

1415 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4483

Gr: K-6 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 15%

Rank: #22.

Custer High School - 01

(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 75-79%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

1645 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473

Gr: 9-12 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%

Rank: #33.

Custer Jr. High - 05

(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1645 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473

Gr: 7-8 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%

Rank: #44.

Hermosa Elementary - 04

(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

11 4th St
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345

Gr: K-6 | 175 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%

Rank: n/an/a

A.c.e. High Academy - 06

Alternative School

Add to Compare

527 Montgomery St
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473

Gr: 9-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 16%

Rank: n/an/a

Hermosa Middle School - 07

Add to Compare

11 4th St
Hermosa, SD 57744
(605) 255-4345

Gr: 7-8 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 18%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Custer School District 16-1?

Custer School District 16-1 manages 6 public schools serving 906 students.

What is the rank of Custer School District 16-1?

Custer School District 16-1 is ranked #70 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of South Dakota school districts for: Highest science proficiency (Top 20%), Highest graduation rate (Top 5%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Custer School District 16-1?

85% of Custer School District 16-1 students are White, 7% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Custer School District 16-1?

Custer School District 16-1 has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.

What is Custer School District 16-1's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $21,682 is higher than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

District size: 6 schools
Grades: KG-12
Enrollment: 906 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Minority Enrollment: 15%
: 92% (Top 5% in SD)
: Bottom 50%
: 47% (Top 50%)
: 51% (Btm 50%)
: 52% (Top 20%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education