The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in Science. The lowest is 38% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Clear Lake Elementary - 02
Clear Lake Elementary sits in the heart of Deuel County, a small rural town that doubles as the county seat. The community grew up around the railroad and still carries the character of a traditional Midwestern agricultural center. Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center and the Deuel School District itself are among the largest local employers, and the town's business base is modest but present, with a range of small establishments supporting daily commerce. Civic life centers on Ulven Park on the east side of town, which offers camping, fishing, boating, a disc golf course, and walking trails, along with City Park on the north edge and a community center that hosts graduations, receptions, and community events. The Deuel County Courthouse anchors governmental life. No public library or transit system was identified in publicly reported sources.
The school serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and draws from the surrounding community. Its enrollment is small for a school covering seven grade levels, with fairly even distribution across grades. The student body is predominantly white, with a small Hispanic presence and a single American Indian or Alaska Native student. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch is low relative to many South Dakota schools, suggesting a student population with relatively limited economic disadvantage. Data on individualized education programs and English learner services was not available, so those population sizes remain unknown.
On state assessments, the most recent results paint a mixed academic picture. Math proficiency sits below the midpoint, with roughly two-fifths of tested students reaching proficiency. English language arts results are similar, landing in the same lower range. Science stands out as a relative bright spot, with a clear majority of tested students demonstrating proficiency on the South Dakota science assessment. Every tested student participated, so the results reflect the full tested population without participation gaps. Average scale scores were not reported, and multi-year trend data was not available, so there is no way to compare these results against prior years or assess whether performance is improving or declining. A parent weighing these results may want to ask the school how it supports students who are not yet proficient in math and reading, and what drives the stronger showing in science.
Because this school ends at fifth grade, it has no graduation rate, no advanced coursework, and no career or dual-credit pathways. Those measures belong to the secondary level within Deuel School District. No data on course access, discipline, staffing ratios, attendance, or Title I status was provided, so those aspects of school environment cannot be characterized here. The school is not a charter or magnet school; it operates as part of the conventional public district.
The housing market in Clear Lake is relatively affordable compared with both state and national benchmarks. Typical home values sit well below the South Dakota midpoint and further below the national figure, though the market has seen a sharp year-over-year price increase recently. Estimated monthly mortgage costs at current rates are modest by national standards, and the ratio of home price to income is below what many communities see. Rental data was not available. The town's population has fluctuated modestly over recent census counts, and the city describes itself as growing each year, though no specific new housing developments were identified in publicly reported sources.
At the district level, Deuel School District 19-4 recently completed a major capital construction project, representing a substantial infrastructure investment for a district of this size. A large share of district revenue comes from local sources, so capital spending at this level likely carries property tax considerations for residents. The district serves pre-school through twelfth grade from across central Deuel County, with older students continuing beyond this elementary building.
For a family considering Clear Lake Elementary, the school offers a small, community-rooted setting with a homogenous peer group and low indicators of economic need. Science results are a genuine strength, while math and reading proficiency leave room for growth. The surrounding town is quiet, compact, and affordable, with strong civic anchors and a rural character. Parents looking for richer detail on classroom resources, staffing, or specialized services will need to go directly to the district, as much of that information was not available in the data reviewed.
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