BROOKINGS Superintendent Summer Schultz presented an update on the state of the school district during last weeks Brookings Economic Summit. She said the districts biggest economic impact has been its participation in the Brookings Childcare Collaborative a partnership that now provides 360 local childcare slots for kids ages birth to 5.
Im not sure that we could have an economic discussion in a community without talking about why these spaces are so important. Theres one study thats been around forever that shows a 30% return on investment the earlier you intervene with children, Schultz said. The investment on community impact, the societal costs that we can be keeping out by doing this is worth finding those funds to do it. Im really proud of the fact that between us and the Brookings Economic Development Corp., the Boys & Girls Club and SDSU that we have gotten this off the ground.
She said with 3,500 students, the Brookings School District heavily impacts the local economy. Schultz said encouraging students to stay in the area after graduation can help bolster the workforce.
If you want to tap into someone and make them feel valued and want to come to and live in a community, (high schoolers are) waiting to hear from anyone that wants to connect with them, Schultz said. Sixty percent of teachers across the country will come teach within 20 miles of where they went to high school. If we think about and we want to attract people, we also want to make them feel (part of) this community.
She said district test results paint a mixed picture above average, but with room for improvement. The mean ACT score for Brookings High School students most recently was 23.5 out of 36. That compares to a statewide score of 21.1 and a national score of 19.4
I cant take credit for that. These scores are from last year, and that wouldve just been my first year in the district, Schultz said. We have some work to do, and that doesnt mean that Dr. Schultz is a test score chaser. That means that when it comes to accountability and high-performing students, they know how to perform. Now, Ill tell you a lot of times these numbers dont reflect everything going on in the classroom.
The ACT is currently optional in South Dakota 58% of eligible students statewide took last years test. However in the spring of 2026, the ACT becomes mandatory for high school juniors in the state.
Recent assessments from the state education department found 66% of Brookings High School students were proficient in English language arts 15% above the state average. Those same tests showed 43% of Brookings students were proficient in math and 45% were proficient in science 2% above and 1% below the state averages, respectively. The state currently gives Brookings High School a composite score of 73.8 out of 100.
Weve implemented progress monitoring, which means we have a lot better idea of whats going on before and during the school year, Schultz said. If you look at that ACT score and then you look at (the state assessments), theres a lot of difference there. And I can tell you that is not a representation of the progress and skill levels of our students. Theres not very many states that still do that proficiency and have that same assessment so its not quite what it looks like, but were not going to hide it.
She said improving reading scores is a top priority.
One of the things that is my non-negotiable if Im the superintendent is that every student will have a teacher in their midst that knows how to teach reading based on what science tells us, Schultz said. I am so passionate that every student needs to learn to read. So we have really taken a lot of time to make sure that our literacy plan is completely set upon the basis of the science of reading.
She said the district is also working to reduce student cell phone use. The high school prohibits students cell phone use during instructional time, but allows use before and after school, between classes and during lunch.
Cellphones in schools was something last summer that our state and really across the nation theres (been) a lot of interest in, Schultz said. Its another one of those hard conversations. As a mom and as a superintendent, I know I dont need to ask what opinions are on what cell phones and social media are doing to children in general. I know what the research says.
She and other administrators are also developing a new strategic plan to guide the district.
It was in-process when I came, and it really has stalled because the reality is without being able to have a clear sense of where we are at, its just words, Schultz said. Ive had school boards before that say, Summer you should not say that, but I really struggle with vision, mission and lead statements. If its not something that you truly believe and something that you work on every day, it is just words on paper. So we have been spending some time really digging into what all of those areas are.
Contact Jay Roe at [email protected].
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