Top 3 Best South Dakota Blue Ribbon Public Middle Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 4 blue ribbon public middle schools serving 362 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 middle schools in South Dakota are Gettysburg Middle School - 03, Timber Lake Middle School - 03 and Hamlin Middle School - 02. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Dakota blue ribbon public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public middle school average of 42% (majority American Indian).

Best Blue Ribbon Public Middle Schools in South Dakota (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Gettysburg Middle School - 03
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
100 E King Ave
Gettysburg, SD 57442
(605) 765-2436
Grades: 6-8
| 50 students
Rank: #22.
Timber Lake Middle School - 03
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Grades: 6-8
| 81 students
Rank: #33.
Hamlin Middle School - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
44577 188th St
Hayti, SD 57241
(605) 783-3644
Grades: 6-8
| 182 students
Rank: #44.
Alcester-hudson Jr. High - 03
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
409 E 6th St
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-1890
Grades: 7-8
| 49 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in South Dakota?
The top ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in South Dakota include Gettysburg Middle School - 03, Timber Lake Middle School - 03 and Hamlin Middle School - 02.
How many blue ribbon public middle schools are located in South Dakota?
4 blue ribbon public middle schools are located in South Dakota.
What is the racial composition of students in South Dakota?
South Dakota blue ribbon public middle schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public middle schools average of 42% (majority American Indian).

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