For the 2025 school year, there are 42 blue ribbon public schools serving 8,097 students in South Dakota.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top ranked blue ribbon public schools in South Dakota are Challenge Center - 51, Warner Elementary - 02 and Whitewood Elementary - 04. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Dakota blue ribbon public schools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in South Dakota (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Challenge Center - 51
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
3101 S 4th Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-6170
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-6170
Grades: 2-5
| 177 students
Rank: #22.
Warner Elementary - 02
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Grades: K-5
| 149 students
Rank: #33.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
603 Garfield St
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: PK-5
| 124 students
Rank: #44.
Ethan High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Grades: 9-12
| 87 students
Rank: #55.
Ethan Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Grades: PK-6
| 161 students
Rank: #66.
Robert Bennis Elementary - 05
(Math: 74% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2001 S Sioux Blvd
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-8010
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-8010
Grades: K-4
| 562 students
Rank: #77.
Sonia Sotomayor Elementary - 65
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1510 S Lake Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-4655
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-4655
Grades: PK-5
| 678 students
Rank: #88.
All City Elementary - 50
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2511 W Brookings St
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-6120
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-6120
Grades: K-5
| 145 students
Rank: #99.
Faulkton Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1114 Court St
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Grades: PK-5
| 175 students
Rank: #1010.
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
309 W 15th St
Dell Rapids, SD 57022
(605) 428-5473
Dell Rapids, SD 57022
(605) 428-5473
Grades: K-4
| 379 students
Rank: #1111.
Canistota Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
431 4th Ave
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Grades: PK-5
| 158 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Corsica-stickney Elementary - 02
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
506 Main St
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Grades: PK-5
| 136 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Pinedale Elementary - 11
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4901 W Chicago St
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1805
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1805
Grades: K-5
| 363 students
Rank: #1414.
Timber Lake Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Grades: PK-5
| 198 students
Rank: #1515.
Webster Area Elementary - 03
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
102 E Ninth Ave
Webster, SD 57274
(605) 345-4651
Webster, SD 57274
(605) 345-4651
Grades: PK-5
| 270 students
Rank: #1616.
Corral Drive Elementary - 21
(Math: 66% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3736 Corral Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6789
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6789
Grades: K-5
| 467 students
Rank: #1717.
Kimball Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
300 S East St
Kimball, SD 57355
(605) 778-6231
Kimball, SD 57355
(605) 778-6231
Grades: PK-4
| 122 students
Rank: #1818.
Frederick Area Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
202 E Main St
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Grades: PK-5
| 92 students
Rank: #1919.
Groton Area Elementary - 02
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
810 N 1st St
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-2317
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-2317
Grades: PK-5
| 304 students
Rank: #2020.
Gettysburg Middle School - 03
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 E King Ave
Gettysburg, SD 57442
(605) 765-2436
Gettysburg, SD 57442
(605) 765-2436
Grades: 6-8
| 50 students
Rank: #21 - 2421. - 24.
Baltic Elementary - 02
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1 Bulldog Ave
Baltic, SD 57003
(605) 529-5464
Baltic, SD 57003
(605) 529-5464
Grades: PK-5
| 304 students
Rank: #21 - 2421. - 24.
Burke High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
900 Washington St
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2645
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2645
Grades: 9-12
| 95 students
Rank: #21 - 2421. - 24.
Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary - 04
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1301 N Kimball St
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3091
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3091
Grades: K-5
| 382 students
Rank: #21 - 2421. - 24.
Timber Lake High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Grades: 9-12
| 110 students
Rank: #2525.
Howard Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
201 N Minnie St
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-4443
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-4443
Grades: K-5
| 131 students
Rank: #2626.
Harvey Dunn Elementary - 54
(Math: 57% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2400 S Bahnson Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
(605) 371-4120
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
(605) 371-4120
Grades: PK-5
| 662 students
Rank: #2727.
Timber Lake Middle School - 03
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Grades: 6-8
| 81 students
Rank: #2828.
Castlewood High School - 01
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
310 E Harry St
Castlewood, SD 57223
(605) 793-2497
Castlewood, SD 57223
(605) 793-2497
Grades: 9-12
| 106 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Armour High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
604 3rd St
Armour, SD 57313
(605) 724-2153
Armour, SD 57313
(605) 724-2153
Grades: 9-12
| 52 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Harding County High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
12474 Tipperary St
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Buffalo, SD 57720
(605) 375-3241
Grades: 9-12
| 62 students
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Blunt Elementary - 03
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
202 W Butte St
Blunt, SD 57522
(605) 258-2617
Blunt, SD 57522
(605) 258-2617
Grades: PK-4
| 14 students
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
White Lake High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
410 E 4th St
White Lake, SD 57383
(605) 249-2251
White Lake, SD 57383
(605) 249-2251
Grades: 9-12
| 35 students
Rank: #3333.
Medary Elementary - 05
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
718 5th St S
Brookings, SD 57006
(605) 696-4300
Brookings, SD 57006
(605) 696-4300
Grades: K-3
| 336 students
Rank: #3434.
Wall Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
401 S Blvd W
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Grades: K-5
| 119 students
Rank: #3535.
Alcester-hudson Elementary - 04
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
409 E 6th St
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-2171
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-2171
Grades: K-6
| 170 students
Show 7 more public schools in South Dakota (out of 42 total schools)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public schools in South Dakota?
The top ranked blue ribbon public schools in South Dakota include Challenge Center - 51, Warner Elementary - 02 and Whitewood Elementary - 04.
How many blue ribbon public schools are located in South Dakota?
42 blue ribbon public schools are located in South Dakota.
What is the racial composition of students in South Dakota?
South Dakota blue ribbon public schools minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
