Takini School

Located at HWY 34 East Cherry Creek Rd, in Howes, South Dakota, Takini School is a modestly sized all-grades campus that works with 153 students (grades K through 12), run under Takini School. That puts it 51% leaner than the typical public school in South Dakota, which averages around 315 students.

Operationally, Takini School answers to Takini School, which sets policy, hires staff, and reports enrollment to the state.

On demographics, Takini School lists that nearly all students (100%) are Native American.

In terms of school funding signals, Staff filings list 6 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 25.5:1 students per teacher. That figure is higher than the state norm's 12.9:1 average. An estimated 98% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator.

Around the school, Ziebach County reports that the typical household earns roughly $53,958 per year, about 15% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate sits near 32%. Across Ziebach County's 5 public schools (combined enrollment of about 800 students), Takini School is one campus in the mix.

Nearest neighbor: Milesville Elementary - 08, around 12.7 miles off.

The campus sits in an outlying setting.

Five-year trend. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Takini School has edged down 18%, going from 187 students in 2018 to 153 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, posts here usually surface around school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.