At a glance
Reported students
873
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
50.32
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
17.3:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
South Dakota elementary enrollment
99th percentile
Compared with 316 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
468.5
Discovery Elementary - 26: 873 reported students.
State peer staffing position
93rd percentile
17.3:1 reported; state peer median 12.7:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 857
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Student–teacher ratio
- 17.5:1
What the reported data says about Discovery Elementary - 26
Discovery Elementary - 26 is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Sioux Falls. It is one of 45 current school records connected to Sioux Falls School District 49-5. NCES reports 873 students for 2024–25.
Among 316 elementary schools in South Dakota with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 149.5 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 99th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 17.3:1, above the South Dakota median of 12.7:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (80.1%) and Hispanic or Latino (5.8%). English learners represent 2.7% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 11.2%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Discovery Elementary - 26
- 1How do the reported 17.3:1 student–teacher ratio and 50.32 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1.5 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 2.7%
- Students with disabilities
- 11.2%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 21.9%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1.5
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0.1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White80.1%
- Hispanic5.8%
- Black5.8%
- Asian0.7%
- American Indian / Alaska Native2.9%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial4.7%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Sioux Falls School District 49-5
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
RF Pettigrew Elementary - 17
Elementary · Grades PK–05
846 reported students
Hayward Elementary - 38
Elementary · Grades PK–05
728 reported students
Sonia Sotomayor Elementary - 65
Elementary · Grades PK–05
690 reported students
Harvey Dunn Elementary - 54
Elementary · Grades PK–05
681 reported students
John Harris Elementary - 23
Elementary · Grades PK–05
666 reported students
John F. Kennedy Elementary - 57
Elementary · Grades KG–05
661 reported students
Public schools near Discovery Elementary - 26
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tea Area Frontier Elementary - 05 Elementary · Tea Area School District 41-5 | KG–05 | 292 | 1.1 mi |
| Oscar Howe Elementary - 58 Elementary · Sioux Falls School District 49-5 | KG–05 | 608 | 1.3 mi |
| Hayward Elementary - 38 Elementary · Sioux Falls School District 49-5 | PK–05 | 728 | 1.7 mi |
| RF Pettigrew Elementary - 17 Elementary · Sioux Falls School District 49-5 | PK–05 | 846 | 1.9 mi |
| John F. Kennedy Elementary - 57 Elementary · Sioux Falls School District 49-5 | KG–05 | 661 | 2.2 mi |
| Marcella LeBeau Elementary Elementary · Sioux Falls School District 49-5 | KG–05 | — | 2.8 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Discovery Elementary - 26
What grades does Discovery Elementary - 26 serve?
Discovery Elementary - 26 reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Sioux Falls School District 49-5.
How many students attend Discovery Elementary - 26?
Discovery Elementary - 26 reported 873 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 99th percentile among 316 South Dakota elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 857 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Discovery Elementary - 26?
The calculated ratio is 17.3:1, based on 873 students and 50.32 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The South Dakota median for the same school level is 12.7:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Discovery Elementary - 26 a public, charter, or magnet school?
Discovery Elementary - 26 is a public school. Enrollment is generally based on Sioux Falls School District 49-5 attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Discovery Elementary - 26 students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
21.9% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Discovery Elementary - 26 in?
Discovery Elementary - 26 is part of Sioux Falls School District 49-5, based in Sioux Falls, SD, which operates 45 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Discovery Elementary - 26?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Tea Area Frontier Elementary - 05 (1.1 mi), Oscar Howe Elementary - 58 (1.3 mi), Hayward Elementary - 38 (1.7 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.