Castlewood Middle School - 03

Castlewood Middle School - 03 is an intimate 6-8 campus in Castlewood, South Dakota, overseen by Castlewood School District 28-1. The school teaches 76 students in grades 6 through 8. Compared to the state average of about 187 students per school, that is 59% below typical.

Within Castlewood School District 28-1, which oversees 4 schools and 345 students, Castlewood Middle School - 03 is one campus in the system.

For racial and ethnic makeup, Castlewood Middle School - 03 lists that the student body is overwhelmingly White (91%). Beyond that, the school logs 7% Hispanic, 3% multiracial. Compared to Hamlin County overall, the school's racial mix sits in roughly the same range.

On the resource side, The school reports having 4 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 18.2:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.4:1, putting Castlewood Middle School - 03 higher than the state norm the norm. Roughly 18% of students at Castlewood Middle School - 03 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal. By comparison, Hamlin County runs at roughly 29%, so the school's eligibility rate is meaningfully below the surrounding baseline.

On a residual basis (actual vs predicted given the student mix), On a poverty-adjusted basis, Castlewood Middle School - 03 sits in the bottom 10% statewide. Predicted proficiency from the FRL regression is roughly 55.5%; actual is 38.6%, a gap of -16.9 points.

Around the school, Hamlin County reports that median household income runs about $87,101, 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 5%. Castlewood Middle School - 03 is one of 10 public schools in Hamlin County (combined enrollment of about 1,533 students).

The closest other public school is Castlewood High School - 01, roughly 0.0 miles away. Within five miles, there are 3 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts Castlewood Middle School - 03 at 4th of 4; the average score across the group is 50.5%.

Castlewood Middle School - 03 operates from a rural location.

Looking at the recent track record. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Castlewood Middle School - 03 has grew 85%, going from 41 students in 2018 to 76 in 2025. Over the same period, the White share fell from 98% to 91%. The student-to-teacher ratio rose from 17.1:1 in 2018 to 18.2:1 today.

In the discussion threads here, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.