Willow Lake High School - 01

Willow Lake High School - 01 is one of the very small 9-12 campuss in Willow Lake, South Dakota, part of Willow Lake School District 12-3, with 69 students on its rolls from grades 9 through 12. That puts it 69% smaller than the typical public school in South Dakota, which averages around 225 students.

Within Willow Lake School District 12-3, which oversees 6 schools and 344 students, Willow Lake High School - 01 is one campus in the system.

In terms of who attends, Willow Lake High School - 01 lists that nearly all students (96%) are White; the rest breaks down as 3% Native American.

Looking at the economic backdrop, On paper, Willow Lake High School - 01 has 6 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 11.1:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 20.6:1, putting Willow Lake High School - 01 tighter than the state norm the norm. Around 29% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, often used as a Title I proxy.

In the area at large, ACS estimates for Clark County put median household earnings sit near $70,726, roughly 20% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 5%. Across Clark County's 11 public schools (combined enrollment of about 820 students), Willow Lake High School - 01 is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is Willow Lake Elementary - 02, roughly 0.0 miles away. Within five miles, there are 2 other public schools.

Geographically, the school is in a rural area.

Five-year trend. Over the past 7-year window, the student count climbed 30%: 53 students in 2018 compared to 69 in 2025. Hispanic enrollment moved from 6% to 1% across the same window. Class-load math has loosened: from 8.5:1 in 2018 to 11.1:1 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, recent activity here tends to focus on science fair prep, picture-day reminders, and bus-route questions. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.