- Willow Lake Elementary - 02 — Grades PK–5 · 153 students
- Willow Lake Middle School - 03 — Grades 6–8 · 54 students
- Willow Lake High School - 01 — Grades 9–12 · 69 students
- Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 — Grades K–8 · 31 students
- Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05 — Grades K–8 · 21 students
- Collins Colony Elementary - 06 — Grades K–8 · 16 students
| Metric | Willow Lake School District 12-3 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 323 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 6 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | ↓ 34% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 3/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willow Lake School District 12-3 (this district) | 3/10 | 20th | 323 |
| Pierre School District 32-2 | 7/10 | 65th | 2,762 |
| Sioux Falls School District | NR | — | 25,000 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 144 rated districts in SD → 20th percentile → 3/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Willow Lake School District 12-3
Families in zip code 57322 (Carpenter, South Dakota) are assigned to Willow Lake School District 12-3 for public education through 12. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Understanding the 3/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Willow Lake School District 12-3 3 out of 10 — below average 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.
Willow Lake School District 12-3 falls near the middle of South Dakota on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 57322
Children in zip code 57322 are assigned to Willow Lake School District 12-3 for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 57322, 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 Willow Lake School District 12-3 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 Carpenter
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Willow Lake School District 12-3 serves zip code 57322, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 57322. 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 Willow Lake School District 12-3 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 57322.
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, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Willow Lake School District 12-3 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 57322 data.