The most improved public elementary schools in South Dakota are Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04, Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14 and Glendale Colony Elementary - 04.
A school's improvement is based on a its total rise in ranking spots during the last five years (2020-25).
Improved Rank Range: 192
573
Avg. Improved Rank: 306
Most Improved Public Elementary Schools in South Dakota (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Ranking Change (2020-25)
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +573
(from 602 to 29)
(from 602 to 29)
Grades: K-8
42906 Colony Rd
Freeman, SD 57029
(605) 925-4216
Freeman, SD 57029
(605) 925-4216
Rank: #22.
Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +483
(from 505 to 22)
(from 505 to 22)
Grades: K-8
36926 266th St
Platte, SD 57369
(605) 337-2468
Platte, SD 57369
(605) 337-2468
Rank: #33.
Glendale Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +443
(from 570 to 127)
(from 570 to 127)
Grades: K-8
17866 Glendale Dr
Tulare, SD 57476
(605) 266-2151
Tulare, SD 57476
(605) 266-2151
Rank: #44.
Brentwood Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +430
(from 612 to 182)
(from 612 to 182)
Grades: K-8
15442 343rd Ave
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Rank: #55.
Spink Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +429
(from 602 to 173)
(from 602 to 173)
Grades: K-8
18206 Spink Ln
Tulare, SD 57476
(605) 266-2151
Tulare, SD 57476
(605) 266-2151
Rank: #66.
Thunderbird Colony Elementary - 10
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +384
(from 505 to 121)
(from 505 to 121)
Grades: K-8
15185 346th Ave
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Rank: #77.
Timber Lake Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Rank Change: +383
(from 434 to 51)
(from 434 to 51)
Grades: PK-5
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Rank: #88.
Waubay Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Rank Change: +382
(from 438 to 56)
(from 438 to 56)
Grades: PK-6
202 W School Rd
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Rank: #99.
Kadoka Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +364
(from 469 to 105)
(from 469 to 105)
Grades: PK-5
800 Bayberry St
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2173
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2173
Rank: #1010.
Bowdle Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +357
(from 438 to 81)
(from 438 to 81)
Grades: K-5
3083 2nd Ave
Bowdle, SD 57428
(605) 285-6590
Bowdle, SD 57428
(605) 285-6590
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Rolland Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +331
(from 589 to 258)
(from 589 to 258)
Grades: K-8
48088 210th St
White, SD 57276
(605) 542-2541
White, SD 57276
(605) 542-2541
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Structured Teaching - 12
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +331
(from 589 to 258)
(from 589 to 258)
Grades: 6-12
201 N West Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-7647
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-7647
Rank: #1313.
Opal Elementary - 15
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +323
(from 505 to 182)
(from 505 to 182)
Grades: K-8
18010 Opal Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Rank: #1414.
Clearfield Colony Elementary - 07
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +312
(from 570 to 258)
(from 570 to 258)
Grades: K-8
40248 293rd Ave
Tripp, SD 57376
(605) 935-6766
Tripp, SD 57376
(605) 935-6766
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Mobridge Upper Elementary - 04
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +303
(from 405 to 102)
(from 405 to 102)
Grades: 3-5
1107 1st Ave E
Mobridge, SD 57601
(605) 845-9210
Mobridge, SD 57601
(605) 845-9210
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Milesville Elementary - 08
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +303
(from 505 to 202)
(from 505 to 202)
Grades: K-8
22053 Harding Grove Rd
Philip, SD 57567
(605) 859-2001
Philip, SD 57567
(605) 859-2001
Rank: #1717.
Hanson Elementary - 06
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +288
(from 303 to 15)
(from 303 to 15)
Grades: PK-5
230 6th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Rank: #1818.
Big Stone City Middle School - 03
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +272
(from 301 to 29)
(from 301 to 29)
Grades: 6-8
655 Walnut St
Big Stone City, SD 57216
(605) 862-8108
Big Stone City, SD 57216
(605) 862-8108
Rank: #1919.
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: <50% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +266
(from 589 to 323)
(from 589 to 323)
Grades: K-8
43188 Mayfield Rd
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Rank: #2020.
Montrose Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Rank Change: +264
(from 313 to 49)
(from 313 to 49)
Grades: PK-5
309 S Church Ave
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Rank: #2121.
Tea Area Legacy Elementary - 01
(Math: 68% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Rank Change: +257
(from 300 to 43)
(from 300 to 43)
Grades: K-5
500 W Charish St
Tea, SD 57064
(605) 498-2700
Tea, SD 57064
(605) 498-2700
Rank: #22 - 2722. - 27.
Claremont Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: K-8
46271 184th St
Castlewood, SD 57223
(605) 793-2497
Castlewood, SD 57223
(605) 793-2497
Rank: #22 - 2722. - 27.
Riverside Colony Elementary - 15
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: K-8
40361 200th St
Huron, SD 57350
(605) 353-7800
Huron, SD 57350
(605) 353-7800
Rank: #22 - 2722. - 27.
Rosette Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: PK-8
12465 359th Ave
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6832
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6832
Rank: #22 - 2722. - 27.
Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: K-8
19087 413th Ave
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Rank: #22 - 2722. - 27.
Westwood Rural Elementary - 05
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: K-8
499 Westwood Rd
Britton, SD 57430
(605) 448-2234
Britton, SD 57430
(605) 448-2234
Rank: #22 - 2722. - 27.
White Rock Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: K-8
47788 102nd St
Rosholt, SD 57260
(605) 537-4790
Rosholt, SD 57260
(605) 537-4790
Rank: #2828.
Platte - Geddes Jr. High - 03
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +238
(from 328 to 90)
(from 328 to 90)
Grades: 6-8
400 Illinois Ave
Platte, SD 57369
(605) 337-3391
Platte, SD 57369
(605) 337-3391
Rank: #2929.
South Central Elementary - 03
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +232
(from 405 to 173)
(from 405 to 173)
Grades: PK-5
401 Birdsell St
Bonesteel, SD 57317
(605) 654-2314
Bonesteel, SD 57317
(605) 654-2314
Rank: #3030.
Jamesville Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +225
(from 483 to 258)
(from 483 to 258)
Grades: K-8
43582 Ne Jim River Rd
Menno, SD 57045
(605) 387-5161
Menno, SD 57045
(605) 387-5161
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Norris Elementary - 08
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +223
(from 631 to 408)
(from 631 to 408)
Grades: K-5
331 School Loop
White River, SD 57579
(605) 462-6455
White River, SD 57579
(605) 462-6455
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
O'kreek Elementary - 14
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +223
(from 631 to 408)
(from 631 to 408)
Grades: K-8
44 School St
Okreek, SD 57563
(605) 856-3507
Okreek, SD 57563
(605) 856-3507
Rank: #3333.
Mount Vernon Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +208
(from 313 to 105)
(from 313 to 105)
Grades: PK-5
500 N Main
Mount Vernon, SD 57363
(605) 236-5237
Mount Vernon, SD 57363
(605) 236-5237
Rank: #3434.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +206
(from 214 to 8)
(from 214 to 8)
Grades: PK-5
603 Garfield St
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Rank: #3535.
Rosedale Colony Elementary - 11
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +192
(from 505 to 313)
(from 505 to 313)
Grades: K-8
25986 Rosedale Rd
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 239-4215
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 239-4215
Show 100 more public schools in SD (out of 418 total schools)
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