School district or education agency · NCES 4609300

Harding County School District 31-1

Buffalo, SD

District overview See comparisons

Students221

Student membership reported by NCES for 2023–24.

Schools3

operational schools · 2023–24

Students221

students in linked records

Latest attendance year2022–23

federal comparable series

Latest finance record$17,112

per student

District, state and country

How does this district compare?

State and national figures use the same measure and reporting period. They are weighted by students or staffing whenever the source provides a denominator.

MeasureDistrictSDUnited States

Academic standing2025

54th percentile49th percentile45th percentile

This district is 5 percentile points higher than the state figure and 9 percentile points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students chronically absent2022–23

18.8%22.0%27.8%

This district is 3.2 percentage points lower than the state figure and 9.0 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Revenue per studentFY 2023

$23,522$15,139$19,509

This district is $8,383 per student higher than the state figure and $4,013 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Spending per studentFY 2023

$17,112$11,921$15,859

This district is $5,191 per student higher than the state figure and $1,253 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Capital outlay per studentFY 2023

$1,460$3,148$1,964

This district is $1,688 per student lower than the state figure and $504 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Equipment spending per studentFY 2023

$1,170$304$336

This district is $866 per student higher than the state figure and $834 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Special-education spending per studentFY 2023

$2,147$1,945$1,793

This district is $202 per student higher than the state figure and $354 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Salaries per studentFY 2023

$8,527$7,121$8,742

This district is $1,406 per student higher than the state figure and $215 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Benefits per studentFY 2023

$3,451$2,050$3,769

This district is $1,401 per student higher than the state figure and $318 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Debt outstanding per studentFY 2023

$29,844$10,861$11,715

This district is $18,983 per student higher than the state figure and $18,129 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Debt retired per studentFY 2023

$1,138$640$869

This district is $498 per student higher than the state figure and $269 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Students per teacher2023–24

11:114:115:1

This district is 3.0 students per teacher lower than the state figure and 4.0 students per teacher lower than the U.S. figure.

District staff per 1,000 students2023–24

180.5150.4138.9

This district is 30.1 staff per 1,000 students higher than the state figure and 41.6 staff per 1,000 students higher than the U.S. figure.

Instructional aides per 1,000 students2023–24

24.922.918.5

This district is 2.0 aides per 1,000 students higher than the state figure and 6.4 aides per 1,000 students higher than the U.S. figure.

School psychologists per 1,000 students2023–24

0.70.70.9

This district is about the same as the state figure and 0.2 psychologists per 1,000 students lower than the U.S. figure.

Regular diplomas among completers2023–24

100.0%98.9%99.0%

This district is 1.1 percentage points higher than the state figure and 1.0 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Annual dropouts among students in grades 9–122023–24

0.0%3.6%2.6%

This district is 3.6 percentage points lower than the state figure and 2.6 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students receiving IDEA services2021–22 · reporting schools

39.3%15.0%14.0%

This district is 24.4 percentage points higher than the state figure and 25.3 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students with Section 504 plans2021–22 · reporting schools

6.4%3.8%3.9%

This district is 2.6 percentage points higher than the state figure and 2.5 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Teachers reported as certified2021–22 · reporting schools

100.0%98.8%95.8%

This district is 1.2 percentage points higher than the state figure and 4.2 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Enrollment change2021–22 to 2023–24

+4.7%0.0%+0.5%

This district is 4.7 percentage points higher than the state figure and 4.2 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals2021–22 · valid district records

11.8%28.7%50.6%

This district is 16.9 percentage points lower than the state figure and 38.8 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students without disabilities2021–22 · matched enrollment

0.0%3.3%4.5%

This district is 3.3 percentage points lower than the state figure and 4.5 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students receiving IDEA services2021–22 · matched enrollment

0.0%7.1%9.0%

This district is 7.1 percentage points lower than the state figure and 9.0 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students with Section 504 plans2021–22 · matched enrollment

0.0%5.7%6.7%

This district is 5.7 percentage points lower than the state figure and 6.7 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students enrolled in district distance education2021–22 · matched enrollment

3.5%3.9%5.1%

This district is 0.4 percentage points lower than the state figure and 1.6 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

School-age children in poverty2024 Census estimate

13.2%10.9%14.4%

This district is 2.3 percentage points higher than the state figure and 1.2 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Enrollment · 2023–24

Who attends this district?

Kindergarten–grade 5101 students

45.7%

Grades 6–858 students

26.2%

Grades 9–1262 students

28.1%

See enrollment for every grade

Kindergarten13

Grade 117

Grade 218

Grade 322

Grade 410

Grade 521

Grade 616

Grade 722

Grade 820

Grade 919

Grade 1013

Grade 1115

Grade 1215

Students by race and ethnicity

White215 (97.3%)

Two or more races4 (1.8%)

Hispanic/Latino1 (0.5%)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander1 (0.5%)

Final NCES Common Core of Data membership file, 2023–24. Suppressed or missing cells are not estimated.

Current staffing · 2023–24

How many staff members support students?

39.9All district staff, full-time equivalent

21Teachers, full-time equivalent

0.2School psychologists, full-time equivalent

5.5Instructional aides, full-time equivalent

0.8School administrators, full-time equivalent

1.1Student support staff, full-time equivalent

See detailed staffing

Kindergarten teachers1 FTE

Elementary teachers10.9 FTE

Secondary teachers7.3 FTE

Ungraded teachers1.7 FTE

District administrators4 FTE

District administrative support1 FTE

School administrative support1 FTE

Other support staff5.5 FTE

Final NCES Common Core of Data staff file, 2023–24. These are full-time-equivalent positions, not employee headcounts, vacancies or caseloads.

High-school outcomes · 2023–24

How many students completed school or dropped out?

15Total completers

15Regular diplomas

0Reported dropouts, grades 9–12

Regular diplomas among completers

District100.0%

SD98.9%

United States99.0%

Annual dropouts among students in grades 9–12

District0.0%

SD3.6%

United States2.6%

Final NCES Common Core of Data completer and dropout files, 2023–24. The dropout rate divides the reported annual grades 9–12 dropout count by complete grades 9–12 enrollment. It is not a cohort graduation rate. The diploma share describes credentials among completers and should not be read as a graduation rate.

Graduation · 2022–23

How many students graduated within four years?

Loading the district's official graduation record…

Learning support · 2021–22 federal snapshot

How many students may need specialized support?

Counts and shares use only schools with a usable value for that measure. The reporting-school denominator prevents missing schools from being counted as zero.

39.3%Students receiving IDEA special-education services35 students · 1 of 5 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District39.3%

SD15.0%

U.S.14.0%

6.4%Students with Section 504 plans11 students · 3 of 5 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District6.4%

SD3.8%

U.S.3.9%

0.0%English learners also receiving IDEA services0 students · 1 of 5 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District0.0%

SD0.7%

U.S.1.7%

U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021–22. Public-use counts are privacy-protected. These figures describe the reporting year, not current enrollment, diagnoses, service quality or unmet need.

Teacher quality and early learning · 2021–22

What did the district report about teachers and preschool?

100.0%Teachers reported as certified

Teacher certification comparison

District100.0%

SD98.8%

United States95.8%

U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021–22. Certification status is district-reported and may not match current staffing. Preschool counts cover the federal reporting year and are not a measure of available seats.

Community context · 2024

How many school-age children live in poverty?

This Census estimate provides context about families in the district. It does not measure school quality or describe every student enrolled in the district.

219children ages 5 to 17

29estimated to live in families below the poverty line

13.2%about 1 in 8 school-age children

District13.2%

SD10.9%

United States14.4%

U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. The estimate covers related children ages 5 to 17 in families in poverty and uses 2024–25 district boundaries.

District geography · 2024–25

What area does this district cover?

NCES publishes a geographic boundary for traditional school districts. Charter agencies and some special-purpose agencies may not have one.

Loading the official district boundary…

Source: NCES EDGE School District Boundaries, school year 2024–25.

Comparable districts

Districts serving a similar student population

These peers are matched using enrollment and available student population measures. Districts in SD receive geographic preference, but a closer national match may appear when it is more comparable. Open any profile for a full comparison.

Sanborn Central School District 55-5Forestburg, SD215 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty · View profile →Iroquois School District 02-3Iroquois, SD222 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, special-education enrollment · View profile →Gettysburg School District 53-1Gettysburg, SD220 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, special-education enrollment · View profile →Burke School District 26-2Burke, SD216 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, special-education enrollment · View profile →Rosholt School District 54-4Rosholt, SD227 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty · View profile →

Academic results · 2025

How do results differ among student groups?

Students not economically disadvantaged142 assessments

57 out of 100

Fem108 assessments

55 out of 100

White students192 assessments

54 out of 100

Mal88 assessments

53 out of 100

Economically disadvantaged students54 assessments

46 out of 100

A score of 50 marks the national 2019 midpoint. Higher numbers indicate stronger results on the comparable Stanford research scale. This is not a state proficiency rate.

District makeup

What kinds of schools are in the district?

3Elementary schools

1High schools

1Middle schools

5Rural setting

School levels, settings and types use the NCES 2021–22 directory matched to the federal civil-rights collection.

District finances

How is the district funded, and how does it spend?

Sources of funds

Where the money comes from

Share of district revenue supplied by each level of government.

14.2%Federal

16.5%State

69.3%Local

Uses of funds

Where the money goes

Annual spending for each enrolled student.

$17,112Total current spending per student

$9,777Instruction per student

$6,777Support services per student

Revenue by source: percentages and dollars

$748KFederal revenue14.2% of total revenue

$872KState revenue16.5% of total revenue

$3.6MLocal revenue69.3% of total revenue

How operating money was used

$9,777Instructionper student

$6,777Student and instructional supportper student

$2,147Special educationper student

$2,393Building operations and maintenanceper student

$777Student transportationper student

$558Food servicesper student

$3,098Technologyper student

People costs

$1.9MSalaries$8,527 per student

$773KEmployee benefits$3,451 per student

Equipment, buildings and debt

$262KEquipmentFY 2023

$327KCapital outlay$1,460 per student

$65KConstructionincluded in capital outlay

$6.7MDebt outstanding at year end$29,844 per student

$0New debt issuedFY 2023

$255KDebt principal retiredFY 2023

$334KInterest paid on debtFY 2023

Selected federal program revenue

$82KTitle I$366 per student

$81KIDEA special education$362 per student

$49KChild nutrition$219 per student

What changed since FY 2022

Operating spending per student

FY 2022$17,270

FY 2023$17,112

Capital spending per student

FY 2022$938

FY 2023$1,460

Debt outstanding per student

FY 2022$32,725

FY 2023$29,844

Revenue shares and spending categories answer different questions and should not be added together. Source: NCES F-33 district finance, FY 2023.

Attendance

How has chronic absence changed?

2020–219.3%

18 of 194 students

2021–2218.5%

39 of 211 students

2022–2318.8%

42 of 224 students

Specialized support and security · 2021–22

What specialized roles were reported?

0Sworn law-enforcement officer FTE5 reporting schools

0Security staff FTE5 reporting schools

Staffing is reported as full-time equivalents in the 2021–22 CRDC collection.

Learning opportunities

What do district schools offer?

Algebra I1 reporting schools

Calculus1 reporting schools

Biology1 reporting schools

Chemistry1 reporting schools

Physics1 reporting schools

Computer science1 reporting schools

Advanced Placement1 reporting schools

Dual enrollment1 reporting schools

Gifted programs5 reporting schools

International Baccalaureate1 reporting schools

Athletics1 reporting schools

Shares use only schools for which the program was applicable and reported. A districtwide percentage does not guarantee availability at every grade or campus. Source: 2021–22 CRDC.

Safety and discipline

What was reported across district schools?

0Out-of-school suspensions5 reporting schoolsSee schools →2In-school suspensions5 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Law-enforcement referrals5 reporting schoolsSee schools →0School-related arrests5 reporting schoolsSee schools →

Counts are from the 2021–22 CRDC collection. Open a measure to see the schools behind the district total.

Technology and safety · 2021–22

What access and incident data is available?

100%Schools reporting Wi-Fi5 reporting schools

100%Schools reporting fiber5 reporting schools

4Student devices reported5 reporting schools

0Weapon-possession reports5 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Threats involving a weapon5 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Threats without a weapon5 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Attacks involving a weapon5 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Attacks without a weapon5 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Firearm incidents5 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Robberies without a weapon5 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Robberies involving a weapon5 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Homicide incidents5 reporting schoolsSee schools →

Technology and incident figures are from the 2021–22 CRDC collection. Device counts describe the reporting year, not current inventory.

Six questions parents ask

What the available data says

Each answer shows its reporting year and opens a deeper comparison. Missing and suppressed results are never shown as zero.

Are students making academic progress?5 years of resultsLatest research estimate: 2025Explore and compare →Are students missing too much school?18.8% chronically absent2022–23 · 224 students measuredExplore and compare →Is the district improving?Declined overallCompare the earliest and latest available yearsExplore and compare →Where are student-group gaps largest?5 student groups2025 research estimatesExplore and compare →How much does the district spend?$17,112current spending per studentExplore and compare →Does the district have enough support staff?No counselor ratioStudents per counselor in the 2023–24 federal staffing fileExplore and compare →

Data status

8 of 8 national data layers are matched to this NCES district ID. Identity and school counts use NCES records. Academic estimates use SEDA, attendance uses EDFacts, finance uses NCES F-33, staffing and enrollment use 2023–24 NCES CCD where available, teacher certification, preschool and policy fields use the 2021–22 CRDC, and community poverty context uses Census SAIPE. Four-year graduation rates use 2022–23 EDFacts. Every detailed view preserves its reporting year.

See all sources →