Douglas Middle School - 01

As a well-populated 6-8 campus in Box Elder, South Dakota, Douglas Middle School - 01 works with 633 students from grades 6 through 8, run under Douglas School District 51-1. Compared to the state average of about 187 students per school, that is 239% bigger than typical.

Douglas Middle School - 01 is one of 4 schools operated by Douglas School District 51-1, a district that instructs 2,808 students overall.

Demographically, Douglas Middle School - 01 logs that the largest single group is White, at 65% of enrollment. The remainder breaks down as 13% multiracial, 12% Hispanic, 7% Native American. By comparison, Pennington County as a whole is about 79% White, so the school skews visibly less White than its surroundings.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Staff filings list 45 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 14.2:1 students per teacher. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.4:1, putting Douglas Middle School - 01 higher than the state norm the norm. An estimated 38% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

With demographic context factored in, Douglas Middle School - 01 tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 47.5% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 36.1%.

In the broader community, ACS estimates for Pennington County put the typical household earns roughly $74,517 per year, about 35% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 7%. Douglas Middle School - 01 is one of 41 public schools in Pennington County (combined enrollment of about 16,186 students).

The closest other public school is Patriot Elementary -06, roughly 0.2 miles away. Within five miles, there are 3 other public schools. Among the 8 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), Douglas Middle School - 01 ranks 5th on composite proficiency, higher than the local average of 35.1%.

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

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count decreased 11%: 709 students in 2018 compared to 633 in 2025. The White share of enrollment shrank from 70% to 65% over that span. Class-load math has fell: from 17.1:1 in 2018 to 14.2:1 in 2025.

Within the allk12 community for this school, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.