For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 5,400 students in Brown County, SD (there are 9 private schools, serving 1,238 private students). 81% of all K-12 students in Brown County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%). Brown County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in South Dakota.
The top-ranked public schools in Brown County, SD are Warner Elementary - 02, Warner Middle School - 03 and C C Lee Elementary - 05. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Brown County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Brown County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% 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 Brown County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Warner Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Warner Middle School - 03
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Gr: 6-8 | 83 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
Warner High School - 01
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Gr: 9-12 | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #55.
Groton Area Middle School - 04
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
502 N 2nd St
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Gr: 6-8 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #66.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
Frederick High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
202 E Main St
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Gr: 9-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #88.
Frederick Area Middle School - 03
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
202 E Main St
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Gr: 6-8 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #99.
Groton Area High School - 01
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
502 N 2nd St
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Gr: 9-12 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1010.
Frederick Area Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
202 E Main St
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Gr: PK-5 | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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
14625 401st Ave
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 396-7497
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 396-7497
Gr: K-8 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
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%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Brown County, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Brown County, SD include Warner Elementary - 02, Warner Middle School - 03 and C C Lee Elementary - 05. Brown County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in South Dakota.
How many public schools are located in Brown County?
21 public schools are located in Brown County.
What percentage of students in Brown County go to public school?
81% of all K-12 students in Brown County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Brown County?
Brown County public schools minority enrollment is 24% 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 Brown County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Brown County 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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