McLaughlin Middle School - 03

Set in McLaughlin, South Dakota, McLaughlin Middle School - 03 is a modestly sized middle-grades school, overseen by McLaughlin School District 15-2. It works with 85 students across grades 6 through 8. By comparison, South Dakota's public schools average about 187 students each, so McLaughlin Middle School - 03 sits 55% below that benchmark.

Across the 3 schools in McLaughlin School District 15-2 (443 students total), McLaughlin Middle School - 03 accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

On demographics, McLaughlin Middle School - 03 lists that the student body is overwhelmingly Native American (98%).

On the resource side, The school employs 10 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 8.2:1. The state averages around 13.4:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. An estimated 100% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

After controlling for student poverty, McLaughlin Middle School - 03 tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 22.1% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 11.2%.

Across the wider county, community-level numbers for Corson County indicate median household earnings sit near $46,406, roughly 19% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 34% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, Corson County runs 11 public schools (combined enrollment of about 858 students), of which McLaughlin Middle School - 03 is one.

Nearest neighbor: McLaughlin High School - 01, around 0.0 miles off. 2 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts McLaughlin Middle School - 03 at 4th of 4; the average score across the group is 21.5%.

McLaughlin Middle School - 03 operates from a countryside location.

Looking at the recent track record. McLaughlin Middle School - 03's enrollment has declined 12% since 2018, when it stood at 97 (now 85). Class-load math has narrowed: from 14.0:1 in 2018 to 8.2:1 in 2025.

Inside the community feed, recent activity here tends to focus on fundraisers, lost-and-found posts, and report-card season. Posting is open to anyone connected to the school.