Tea Area School District 41-5 is a rural district in Lincoln County, South Dakota, serving 2,514 students across 6 schools. The district demonstrates stable enrollment and operates with per-pupil spending of $8,911, approximately 36% below the state average of $13,873.
Academic performance indicators show Tea Area performing slightly above state benchmarks. Math proficiency stands at 48.4% compared to the state average of 46.7%, while reading proficiency reaches 49.5% versus the state average of 46.8%. The graduation rate of 94.8% substantially exceeds the state average of 87.5%, with a low dropout rate of 0.7%.
Chronic absenteeism presents a notable concern at 17.2%, suggesting attendance patterns that may warrant district attention. The student population includes 14.3% economically disadvantaged students, 3.2% English learners, and 16.1% students with disabilities.
The district is predominantly White at 79.6%, with Hispanic students comprising 6.8% of enrollment, Black students 4.2%, and Asian students 1.6%. Tea Area's demographic composition and rural location characterize it as a relatively homogeneous, smaller district. The combination of above-average academic performance and strong graduation rates, achieved with below-average per-pupil spending, indicates operational efficiency, though chronic absenteeism rates suggest potential engagement challenges that may warrant further investigation.
This summary was generated by AI from public data sources. Last updated May 5, 2026.
This data is aggregated from state and federal public datasets. While we believe it is accurate, we always recommend confirming it on the corresponding state or federal site. See Data Notes for more.
Total Students
2,514
Schools
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,911
Data Sources: NCES Common Core of Data, NCES F-33 Finance Survey, EDFacts
State Data Year: 2024-25
Note: Some data may be unavailable for certain districts or years. Proficiency rates reflect state-specific assessment standards.
Math Proficiency
48.4%
Staff counts are Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) from NCES 2024-25 data.
School Performance Index
67.3
out of 100 points
South Dakota uses the School Performance Index (SPI) to measure school quality on a 0-100 point scale. The SPI considers multiple factors including student proficiency, academic growth, graduation rates, attendance, and English learner progress.
Percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards on South Dakota state assessments
Percentage of students meeting expected academic growth
ELA Progress
49.1%
Students meeting growth standard
Math Progress
40.0%
Students meeting growth standard
ELA Proficiency
49.5%
2.7% above state avg
Math Proficiency
48.4%
Near state average
Graduation Rate
94.8%
7.3% above state avg
Chronic Absenteeism
17.2%
2.2% above state avg
Composite
21.3
English
19.5
Math
21.9
Reading
22.0
Science
21.3
Attendance Rate
95.9%
FAY (Full Academic Year) students
Dropout Rate
0.7%
Grades 7-12
South Dakota evaluates schools using the School Performance Index (SPI), a comprehensive 0-100 point measure. The SPI incorporates student achievement, academic growth, graduation rates, attendance, and English learner progress. Schools and districts work toward continuous improvement under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) framework.