Bowdle Jr. High - 03

Bowdle Jr. High - 03, a minimally staffed middle-grades school in Bowdle, South Dakota, overseen by Bowdle School District 22-1, educates 20 students, covering grades 6 through 8. Compared to the state average of about 187 students per school, that is 89% below typical.

Across the 4 schools in Bowdle School District 22-1 (90 students total), Bowdle Jr. High - 03 accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

In terms of who attends, Bowdle Jr. High - 03 reports that nearly all students (85%) are White; the rest is composed of 5% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 5% multiracial. The wider county runs roughly 95% White, putting the school's mix noticeably less White than the area baseline.

In terms of school funding signals, Staff filings list 3 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 7.6:1 students per teacher. The state averages around 13.4:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. Around 70% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal. Set against Edmunds County (around 29%), the school's rate is north of typical.

On a residual basis (actual vs predicted given the student mix), Bowdle Jr. High - 03 sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 34.3%; this one delivers 34.4%.

Across the wider county, community-level numbers for Edmunds County indicate median household earnings sit near $81,630, roughly 28% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 6% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Bowdle Jr. High - 03 is one of 14 public schools in Edmunds County (combined enrollment of about 684 students).

Nearest neighbor: Bowdle Preschool - 04, around 0.0 miles off. Counting just inside five miles, 3 other public schools cluster around Bowdle Jr. High - 03. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts Bowdle Jr. High - 03 at 4th of 5; the average score across the group is 45.1%.

Geographically, the school is in a small-town area.

Looking at the recent track record. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Bowdle Jr. High - 03 has ticked down 9%, going from 22 students in 2018 to 20 in 2025. The White share of enrollment edged down from 100% to 85% over that span.

Inside the community feed, recent activity here tends to focus on science fair prep, picture-day reminders, and bus-route questions. Contributors range from current parents to recent graduates and teachers.