Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Custer School District 16-1

South Dakota · Public School District
4
Schools
911
Students
$20,373
Per-Pupil Spend
+42% nat'l
22.2%
Free Lunch Rate
-30pp vs nat'l
92.5%
Graduation Rate
+6.0pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Custer School District 16-1 is a public school district in South Dakota serving 911 students across 4 schools. It includes 2 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high schools. Its graduation rate of 92.5% is above the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $20,373 is above average for a US public school district. Only 22% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting a relatively low-poverty student body. Opportunity scores across its schools are moderate, with a district median of 52/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (4)
Elementary Schools2 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Custer Elementary - 02KG–06304
Hermosa Elementary - 04KG–08222
Middle School1 school
SchoolGradesStudents
Custer Jr. High - 0507–08101
High School1 school
SchoolGradesStudents
Custer High School - 0109–12284
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$20,373+42% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
77%
State
2.5%
Local (property tax)
77.4%
Federal
20.2%

This district draws the majority of its budget from local property taxes (77%), typical of wealthier suburban districts.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
4
Schools
911
Students
22%
Free Lunch
$20K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate92.5%
Opportunity Score52/100
StateSouth Dakota →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Strong graduation outcomes
92.5% graduation rate — 6.0 points above the national average of 86.5%.
High per-student investment
Spends $20,373 per pupil — 42% above the national average of $14,347.
Low economic disadvantage rate
Only 22% of students qualify for free lunch, well below the national rate of 52.2%.
Heavy reliance on federal aid
20% of revenue comes from federal sources. High federal reliance typically signals a limited local tax base or high concentration of low-income families.
Limited school choice
With only 4 schools in the district, families have fewer options for different programs or learning environments.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Custer School District 16-1?
Custer School District 16-1 has 4 public schools, serving a total of 911 students.
What is the graduation rate for Custer School District 16-1?
The graduation rate is 92.5%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Custer School District 16-1 spend per student?
Custer School District 16-1 spends $20,373 per pupil — 42% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Custer School District 16-1?
22% of students in Custer School District 16-1 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Custer School District 16-1?
No, Custer School District 16-1 does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Custer School District 16-1 serve?
Custer School District 16-1 serves grades KG through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Custer School District 16-1?
The median opportunity score across schools in Custer School District 16-1 is 52/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.