Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05

Located at 36848 123rd St, in Wetonka, South Dakota, Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05 is a very small elementary-level community that caters to 30 students (grades K through 8), one of the schools within Leola School District 44-2. Compared to the state average of about 204 students per school, that is 85% smaller than typical.

Within Leola School District 44-2, which oversees 6 schools and 170 students, Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05 is one campus in the system.

Demographically, Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05 reports that nearly all students (100%) are White. That composition is broadly in line with McPherson County as a whole.

In terms of school funding signals, Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05 records 2 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 13.0:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 15.4:1, putting Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05 tighter than the state norm the norm. Roughly 90% of students at Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal. Set against McPherson County (around 44%), the school's rate is north of typical.

On a residual basis (actual vs predicted given the student mix), Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05 is in the OUTPERFORMING tier of the BeatsExpectations model, which fits a per-state line through proficiency and FRL share. Schools with this campus's poverty mix typically land near 26.1%; this one delivers 46.6%, a residual of +20.5 points.

In the broader community, the surrounding county (McPherson County) reports that median household earnings sit near $66,906, roughly 27% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 7% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, McPherson County runs 10 public schools (combined enrollment of about 345 students), of which Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05 is one.

The closest other public school is Deerfield Colony Elementary - 05, roughly 4.2 miles away. Within five miles, there are 2 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05 at 3rd of 4; the average score across the group is 58.5%.

The school occupies a rural site.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count rose 36%: 22 students in 2018 compared to 30 in 2025. Class-load math has rose: from 9.1:1 in 2018 to 13.0:1 in 2025.

Inside the community feed, the feed for Long Lake Colony Elementary - 05 typically covers sports schedules, lunch menu changes, and school spirit week. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.