PIERRE, S.D. – Two South Dakota schools have been recognized as National ESEA Distinguished Schools. Ethan Elementary School and Timber Lake Elementary School earned the honor based on the outstanding academic achievement of their students.

“Both Ethan Elementary and Timber Lake Elementary are examples of academic excellence, and can be deservedly called Distinguished Schools,” said Secretary of Education Joe Graves. “One of the keys to their success comes in the form of strong attendance. These pupils are consistently in school.”

Ethan has an attendance rate of 97 percent, and Timber Lake’s attendance rate is 99 percent. “Those numbers tell us that the teachers and administrators are providing a positive environment for learning, and that the students and their families are committed to going to school. Those two things together create conditions for outstanding academic achievement,” Graves said.

Students at both schools significantly outperformed the state average proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA), math, and science for school year 2023-24. Students at Timber Lake Elementary were 71 percent proficient in ELA, 75 percent proficient in math, and 65 percent proficient in science. Ethan Elementary’s proficiencies were 69 percent, 78 percent, and 79 percent, respectively.

The National Association of Elementary and Secondary Education Act State Program Administrators (NAESPA) sponsors the Distinguished Schools Program. NAESPA recognizes schools that have a poverty rate of 35 percent or more, and demonstrate exceptional overall performance in academics, close the achievement gap between student groups, or demonstrate excellence in serving special populations.

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