Top 10 Best South Dakota Public Schools (2024)

South Dakota is the #41 largest school system in the United States, serving 145,783 students across the 749 public schools for the 2024 school year (there are 89 private schools, serving 13,663 students). 91% of all K-12 students in South Dakota are educated in public schools (compared to national average of 90%).
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in South Dakota is 43%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 52%.
The top ranked public schools in South Dakota are Challenge Center - 51, Warner Elementary - 02 and Valley Springs Elementary - 04. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Minority enrollment is 31% (majority American Indian) and the student:teacher ratio is 13:1.

Student by Ethnicity

(SD) School Average
American Indian
14%
Asian
2%
Hispanic
7%
Black
3%
White
69%
Two or more races
5%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in SD.

Top Ranked Public Schools in South Dakota (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Challenge Center - 51
Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 2-5
3101 S 4th Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-6170
Rank: #22.
Warner Elementary - 02
Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Rank: #33.
Valley Springs Elementary - 04
Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥90%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
301 Valley Dr
Valley Springs, SD 57068
(605) 757-6285
Rank: #44.
Tabor Elementary - 05
Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
227 N Lidice St
Tabor, SD 57063
(605) 463-2271
Rank: #55.
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02
Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-4
309 W 15th St
Dell Rapids, SD 57022
(605) 428-5473
Rank: #66.
Warner Middle School - 03
Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: 6-8
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Arlington Jr. High - 03
Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 10%)
Grades: 7-8
306 S Main St
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5598
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Avon High School - 01
Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
210 Pine St
Avon, SD 57315
(605) 286-3291
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14
Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-8
36926 266th St
Platte, SD 57369
(605) 337-2468
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Ethan High School - 01
Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211

Best South Dakota Public Schools by County (2024)

County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
14
3,322
52%
22
5,518
22%
8
1,204
38%
8
1,613
14%
13
802
10%
7
1,706
22%
15
3,309
18%
7
866
33%
11
1,484
89%
7
1,092
17%
10
1,497
8%
7
2,941
34%
18
2,052
9%
20
3,335
15%
24
10,028
13%
12
1,124
7%
12
3,595
19%
85
34,321
33%
8
1,071
46%
14
2,102
66%
20
1,207
9%
12
2,421
100%
13
1,376
9%
13
3,130
15%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in South Dakota?
The top ranked public schools in South Dakota include Challenge Center - 51, Warner Elementary - 02 and Valley Springs Elementary - 04.
How many public schools are located in South Dakota?
749 public schools are located in South Dakota.
What percentage of students in South Dakota go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in South Dakota are educated in public schools (compared to national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in South Dakota?
Minority enrollment in South Dakota is 31% (majority American Indian)

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