For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 4,252 students in Aberdeen, SD (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,214 private students). 78% of all K-12 students in Aberdeen, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Aberdeen, SD are C C Lee Elementary - 05, Holgate Middle School - 02 and Lincoln Elementary - 08. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Aberdeen, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Aberdeen have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Aberdeen, SD (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
C C Lee Elementary - 05
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1900 N State St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7500
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7500
Gr: K-5 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Holgate Middle School - 02
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2200 N Dakota St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7700
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7700
Gr: 6-8 | 497 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Lincoln Elementary - 08
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
414 S 10th St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7200
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7200
Gr: PK-5 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #44.
Central High School - 01
(Math: 39% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2200 S Roosevelt St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-8100
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-8100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,384 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #55.
Mike Miller Elementary - 07
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3010 Milwaukee Ave Ne
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7800
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7800
Gr: K-5 | 282 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
O M Tiffany Elementary - 11
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
819 8th Ave Ne
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7400
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7400
Gr: K-5 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #77.
May Overby Elementary - 09
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
612 14th Ave Se
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7300
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7300
Gr: K-5 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #88.
Simmons Elementary - 10
(Math: 42% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1500 S 3rd St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7600
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7600
Gr: K-5 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #99.
Simmons Middle School - 03
(Math: 36% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1300 S 3rd St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7900
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7900
Gr: 6-8 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
Sdsbvi Elementary - 01
Special Education School
605 14th Ave Se
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 626-2580
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 626-2580
Gr: PK-8 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
Sdsbvi High School - 02
Special Education School
605 14th Ave Se
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 626-2580
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 626-2580
Gr: 9-12 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Aberdeen, South Dakota Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Aberdeen Alternative Learning Center- 12 (Closed 2020)
Alternative School
1300 3 St S
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7900
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7900
Gr: 6-8 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Hub Area Multi-district High School (Closed 2016)
Vocational School
640 9th Ave Sw
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7800
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7800
Gr: 9-12
New Beginnings - 89 (Closed 2024)
Alternative School
1601 Milwaukee Ave Ne
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-8100
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-8100
Gr: 5-12 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Aberdeen, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Aberdeen, SD include C C Lee Elementary - 05, Holgate Middle School - 02 and Lincoln Elementary - 08.
How many public schools are located in Aberdeen?
11 public schools are located in Aberdeen.
What percentage of students in Aberdeen go to public school?
78% of all K-12 students in Aberdeen are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Aberdeen?
Aberdeen public schools minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Aberdeen are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Aberdeen include: May Overby Elementary - 09 vs. C C Lee Elementary - 05, Lincoln Elementary - 08 vs. C C Lee Elementary - 05, Simmons Elementary - 10 vs. C C Lee Elementary - 05
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