Newell School District 09-2, SD

Original Research by School Decision on Newell School District 09-2

Newell School District 09-2 sits in Butte County, South Dakota, serving students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across three schools: Newell Elementary, Newell Middle School, and Newell High School. It is a small rural district, with enrollment that keeps class sizes intimate across all grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with small numbers of American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic, Black, Asian, and multiracial students. The district's housing context draws on areas around Belle Fourche and Sturgis, with typical home values sitting above the South Dakota state benchmark and modestly above the national figure. Home prices in the area have risen slightly year over year, and the price-to-income ratio suggests that buying a home here requires a moderately strong household income relative to much of the country. Rent data was not available, so families considering rental options will want to look into local listings directly. The broader economic picture includes a national unemployment rate that has held steady, and mortgage rates that remain elevated by recent historical standards.

On state assessments for the most recent school year, the district's results paint a mixed but generally serviceable picture. In English language arts, roughly half of tested students in grades three through eight reached proficiency, which is a solid standing for a district of this size. Math proficiency landed just below that mark, with close to half of tested students meeting the bar. Science results were the strongest of the three subjects, with well over half of tested students demonstrating proficiency. All three subjects showed full participation, which speaks to the district's commitment to testing every eligible student. Average scale scores were not available, so families cannot see how the district's students compare on raw performance levels beyond the proficiency cut. Multi-year trend data was not provided, which means there is no way to assess from this data whether these results represent improvement, decline, or stability over time.

Several important data points were missing entirely. Free and reduced-price lunch counts were not reported, so the economic need profile of the student body is unclear from this data alone. Special population figures, including students with individualized education programs and English learners, were also absent. No graduation rate was provided, though the district does serve high school grades, so a parent may want to ask the district directly about its graduation and post-secondary outcomes. Civil rights data, course access information, staffing details, discipline data, and attendance figures were all missing from the available record, which leaves gaps in understanding the full student experience.

The district brief noted no recent parent-relevant changes such as bond measures, referendums, curriculum shifts, or property tax adjustments. This absence of news could mean the district has been operating steadily without major disruptions, or it could reflect limited public reporting on a smaller rural system. Either way, families seeking information about upcoming initiatives or recent policy changes should contact the district office directly.

What this district appears to offer is a small, close-knit educational setting in a rural part of western South Dakota, where students move through a single continuum from early childhood through senior year among the same peer group. The academic results are middling to solid depending on the subject, with science a relative bright spot and math an area where a parent may want to look into this further with the school. Housing in the area is somewhat more expensive than the state average, which may factor into relocation decisions. The gaps in publicly available data are substantial enough that direct outreach to the district is the best way to fill in the picture on graduation rates, program offerings, advanced coursework, special education services, and the economic profile of the community the schools serve.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

243

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 2%

Black 2%

White 90%

Asian 1%

Two+ 2%

Am. Indian / AK Native 3%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 4

—

73%

Gr 38

53%

49%

Math

Gr 4

—

64%

Gr 38

43%

51%

Science

Gr 38

53%

61%

Schools in this District

3 schools are officially reported under this district.

Newell Elementary - 02

Newell High School - 01

Newell Middle School - 04

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

47%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

51%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

58%

Grades 3-8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$381,236

Year-over-year change+1.9%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$351K to $440K

vs. state typical1.19x

vs. national typical1.04x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
57717	Belle Fourche	$351K	+1.7%	1.2%
57793	Sturgis	$440K	+2.3%	0.6%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,924/mo

Home price / national median income4.5x

Comparison

State typical home value$319,255 (+2.8% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.