Public schools in South Dakota achieve an average reading/language arts proficiency of 51% (2025-26).
The public schools with the highest reading/language arts proficiency are listed below (where sufficient data available).
The public school with the highest reading/language arts proficiency in South Dakota is Challenge Center - 51, with ≥95%.
RLA Proficiency Range: 74.5%
95%
Avg. RLA Proficiency: 80%
Top Reading/Language Arts Proficiency Public Schools in South Dakota (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
RLA Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Challenge Center - 51
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥95%
Grades: 2-5
3101 S 4th Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-6170
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-6170
Rank: #22.
Warner Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
RLA Proficiency: 85-89%
Grades: K-5
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Rank: #33.
Adventure Elementary - 10
(Math: 86% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
RLA Proficiency: 85%
Grades: K-5
27220 472nd Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
(605) 432-2567
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
(605) 432-2567
Rank: #4 - 104. - 10.
Baltic High School - 01
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
RLA Proficiency: 80-89%
Grades: 9-12
1 Bulldog Ave
Baltic, SD 57003
(605) 529-5461
Baltic, SD 57003
(605) 529-5461
Rank: #4 - 104. - 10.
Dell Rapids High School - 01
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
RLA Proficiency: 80-89%
Grades: 9-12
1216 N Garfield Ave
Dell Rapids, SD 57022
(605) 428-5473
Dell Rapids, SD 57022
(605) 428-5473
Rank: #4 - 104. - 10.
Groton Area High School - 01
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
RLA Proficiency: 80-89%
Grades: 9-12
502 N 2nd St
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Rank: #4 - 104. - 10.
Howard High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
RLA Proficiency: 80-89%
Grades: 9-12
500 N Section Line
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Rank: #4 - 104. - 10.
Ipswich High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
RLA Proficiency: 80-89%
Grades: 9-12
510 2nd Ave
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6571
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6571
Rank: #4 - 104. - 10.
Lake Preston Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
RLA Proficiency: 80-89%
Grades: PK-5
300 1st St Ne
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Rank: #4 - 104. - 10.
Wagner High School - 01
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
RLA Proficiency: 80-89%
Grades: 9-12
101 Walnut Ave Sw
Wagner, SD 57380
(605) 384-5426
Wagner, SD 57380
(605) 384-5426
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Fred Assam Elementary - 06
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
RLA Proficiency: 80-84%
Grades: K-4
7700 E Willowwood St
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-1500
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-1500
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Tri-valley High School - 01
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
RLA Proficiency: 80-84%
Grades: 9-12
46450 252nd St
Colton, SD 57018
(605) 446-3538
Colton, SD 57018
(605) 446-3538
Rank: #1313.
Brandon Valley High School - 01
(Math: 65% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 82%
Grades: 9-12
301 S Splitrock Blvd
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-3211
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-3211
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Bon Homme High School - 01
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥80%
Grades: 9-12
1404 Fir St
Tyndall, SD 57066
(605) 589-3387
Tyndall, SD 57066
(605) 589-3387
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Burke High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥80%
Grades: 9-12
900 Washington St
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2645
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2645
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Ethan High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥80%
Grades: 9-12
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Faith High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥80%
Grades: 9-12
206 W 5th St
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Irene - Wakonda High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥80%
Grades: 9-12
130 E State St
Irene, SD 57037
(605) 263-3313
Irene, SD 57037
(605) 263-3313
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Kadoka Area High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥80%
Grades: 9-12
800 Bayberry St
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2172
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2172
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Leola Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥80%
Grades: PK-5
820 Leola Ave
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Northwestern High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥80%
Grades: 9-12
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Philip High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥80%
Grades: 9-12
330 Scottie Ave
Philip, SD 57567
(605) 859-2680
Philip, SD 57567
(605) 859-2680
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Timber Lake High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥80%
Grades: 9-12
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Rank: #2424.
Stevens High School - 42
(Math: 46% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
RLA Proficiency: 80%
Grades: 9-12
4215 Raider Rd
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4051
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4051
Rank: #25 - 2825. - 28.
Arlington Elementary - 02
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 75-79%
Grades: K-6
306 S Main St
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5741
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5741
Rank: #25 - 2825. - 28.
Custer High School - 01
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
RLA Proficiency: 75-79%
Grades: 9-12
1645 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Rank: #25 - 2825. - 28.
Inspiration Elementary - 08
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 75-79%
Grades: K-4
3401 S Sparta Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-5890
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-5890
Rank: #25 - 2825. - 28.
Warner Middle School - 03
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 75-79%
Grades: 6-8
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Rank: #2929.
Lincoln High School - 02
(Math: 54% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
RLA Proficiency: 76%
Grades: 9-12
2900 S Cliff Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-7990
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-7990
Rank: #30 - 4230. - 42.
Arlington Jr. High - 03
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-79%
Grades: 7-8
306 S Main St
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5598
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5598
Rank: #30 - 4230. - 42.
Britton-hecla High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-79%
Grades: 9-12
759 5th St
Britton, SD 57430
(605) 448-2234
Britton, SD 57430
(605) 448-2234
Rank: #30 - 4230. - 42.
Chester High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-79%
Grades: 9-12
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Rank: #30 - 4230. - 42.
Deubrook High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-79%
Grades: 9-12
100 School Ave
White, SD 57276
(605) 629-1114
White, SD 57276
(605) 629-1114
Rank: #30 - 4230. - 42.
Ethan Jr. High - 03
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-79%
Grades: 7-8
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Rank: #30 - 4230. - 42.
Faulkton Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-79%
Grades: PK-5
1114 Court St
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Show 100 more public schools in SD (out of 609 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the South Dakota average public schools reading/language arts proficiency?
The South Dakota average public schools reading/language arts proficiency is 51%% for 2025-26.
What are the public schools with the highest reading/language arts proficiency in South Dakota?
The best top ranked public schools in South Dakota include Challenge Center - 51, Warner Elementary - 02 and Adventure Elementary - 10.
What is public high school and public elementary school with the highest reading/language arts proficiency in South Dakota?
The public high school with the highest reading/language arts proficiency in South Dakota is Baltic High School - 01, with a value of 80-89%. The public elementary school with the highest reading/language arts proficiency is Challenge Center - 51, with a value of ≥95%.
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