For the 2025 school year, there are 17 blue ribbon public preschools serving 3,599 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 preschools in South Dakota are Whitewood Elementary - 04, Ethan Elementary - 02 and Sonia Sotomayor Elementary - 65. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Dakota blue ribbon public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 65% (versus the South Dakota public pre school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public preschool average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Preschools in South Dakota (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
Armour Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
905 Dobson Ave
Armour, SD 57313
(605) 724-2698
Armour, SD 57313
(605) 724-2698
Grades: PK-5
| 118 students
Rank: #1616.
White Lake Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
410 E 4th St
White Lake, SD 57383
(605) 249-2251
White Lake, SD 57383
(605) 249-2251
Grades: PK-5
| 66 students
Rank: n/an/a
306 S Main St
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5597
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5597
Grades: PK
| 17 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public preschools in South Dakota?
The top ranked blue ribbon public preschools in South Dakota include Whitewood Elementary - 04, Ethan Elementary - 02 and Sonia Sotomayor Elementary - 65.
How many blue ribbon public preschools are located in South Dakota?
17 blue ribbon public preschools are located in South Dakota.
What is the racial composition of students in South Dakota?
South Dakota blue ribbon public preschools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public preschools average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
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