- Waubay Elementary - 02 — 8.2 mi · Grades PK–6 · 88 students
- Waubay High School - 01 — 8.2 mi · Grades 9–12 · 65 students
- Waubay Middle School - 03 — 8.2 mi · Grades 7–8 · 24 students
| Metric | Waubay School District 18-3 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 183 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 3 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $18,297/yr | $17,619/yr | Small district — per-pupil varies |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waubay School District 18-3 (this district) | 2/10 | 19th | 183 |
| Summit School District 54-6 | 2/10 | 11th | 184 |
| Waverly School District 14-5 | 3/10 | 20th | 271 |
| Wilmot School District 54-7 | 1/10 | 6th | 222 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 146 rated districts in SD → 19th percentile → 2/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Waubay School District 18-3
Waubay School District 18-3 is the public school district assigned to zip code 57256 in Ortley, South Dakota. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 57256. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Waubay School District 18-3 2 out of 10 — low-rated among South Dakota public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because South Dakota is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
⚠️ Small-district caveat. Waubay School District 18-3 enrolls 183 students. A percentile rank drawn from so few test-takers is statistically unstable — it can move several points from one year to the next on normal variation alone, and a single class of students can swing it. Treat this rating as a rough signal rather than a precise ranking, and look at the school-level detail below before drawing conclusions.
Waubay School District 18-3 holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in South Dakota on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 57256
Children in zip code 57256 are assigned to Waubay School District 18-3 for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 57256, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Waubay School District 18-3 at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — South Dakota districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Ortley
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Waubay School District 18-3 serves zip code 57256, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 57256. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In South Dakota, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Waubay School District 18-3 programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 57256.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Waubay School District 18-3 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 57256 data.