Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

South Central 26-5

South Dakota · Public School District
2
Schools
45
Students
$44,930
Per-Pupil Spend
+213% nat'l
60.0%
Free Lunch Rate
+8pp vs nat'l
—
Graduation Rate
District Overview

South Central 26-5 is a public school district in South Dakota serving 45 students across 2 schools. It includes 1 elementary, 1 high schools. Per-pupil spending of $44,930 is above average for a US public school district. 60% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Opportunity scores across its schools are moderate, with a district median of 57/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (2)
Elementary School1 school
SchoolGradesStudents
South Central Elementary - 03PK–0545
High School1 school
SchoolGradesStudents
Whole Grade Sharing with Burke - 0406–120
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$44,930+213% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
37%
State
7.2%
Local (property tax)
37.2%
Federal
55.7%

Funding is shared between state (7%) and local sources (37%), with notable federal support (56%).

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
2
Schools
45
Students
60%
Free Lunch
$45K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate—
Opportunity Score57/100
StateSouth Dakota →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
High per-student investment
Spends $44,930 per pupil — 213% above the national average of $14,347.
Heavy reliance on federal aid
56% 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 2 schools in the district, families have fewer options for different programs or learning environments.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in South Central 26-5?
South Central 26-5 has 2 public schools, serving a total of 45 students.
How much does South Central 26-5 spend per student?
South Central 26-5 spends $44,930 per pupil — 213% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in South Central 26-5?
60% of students in South Central 26-5 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in South Central 26-5?
No, South Central 26-5 does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does South Central 26-5 serve?
South Central 26-5 serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for South Central 26-5?
The median opportunity score across schools in South Central 26-5 is 57/100. 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.