South Dakota is the #41 largest school system in the United States, serving 146,776 students across the 724 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 91 private schools, serving 14,906 students). 91% of all K-12 students in South Dakota attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in South Dakota is 43%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 51%.
The top-ranked public schools in South Dakota are Challenge Center - 51, Adventure Elementary - 10, and Warner Elementary - 02. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
There are 44 Blue Ribbon Schools, and 18 special education schools.
Minority enrollment is 34%, with the majority being American Indian and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in South Dakota (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Challenge Center - 51
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 2-5
3101 S 4th Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-6170
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-6170
Rank: #22.
Adventure Elementary - 10
(Math: 86% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
27220 472nd Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
(605) 432-2567
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
(605) 432-2567
Rank: #33.
Warner Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Rank: #44.
Fred Assam Elementary - 06
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-4
7700 E Willowwood St
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-1500
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-1500
Rank: #55.
Lake Preston Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
300 1st St Ne
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Rank: #66.
Howard High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
500 N Section Line
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Arlington Jr. High - 03
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 10%)
Grades: 7-8
306 S Main St
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5598
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5598
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Faulkton Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 10%)
Grades: PK-5
1114 Court St
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 10%)
Grades: PK-5
603 Garfield St
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Rank: #1010.
Warner Middle School - 03
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: 6-8
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Overview
This State (SD)
US
# Schools
724 Schools
100,275 Schools
# Students
146,776 Students
49,273,202 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
10,614 Teachers
3,176,873 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (SD)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
43%
Graduation Rate
84%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
34%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.53
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
20,817 Students
465,608 Students
% American Indian Students
14%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
2,296 Students
2,805,329 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
12,747 Students
14,933,117 Students
% Hispanic Students
9%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
4,800 Students
7,261,590 Students
% Black Students
3%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
97,298 Students
20,989,063 Students
% White Students
66%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
239 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
8,579 Students
2,585,768 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (SD)
Statewide Total Revenue
$2,163 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$2,227 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$14,736
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$15,173
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best South Dakota Public Schools by County (2026-27)
Popular neighborhoods: All Saints (5 schools), Beadie Greenway (2 schools), North End West (1 schools), Riverside (1 schools), Whittier (1 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
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, Adventure Elementary - 10, and Warner Elementary - 02.
How many public schools are located in South Dakota?
724 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 attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in South Dakota?
Minority enrollment in South Dakota is 34%, with the majority being American Indian.
Which public schools in South Dakota are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in South Dakota include: Structured Teaching - 12 vs. Teachwell Academy High School - 01, Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04 vs. Dakota Valley Elementary - 02, Alcester-hudson High School - 01 vs. Beresford High School - 01
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