Best Butte County Public Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 1,539 students in Butte County, SD.
The top-ranked public schools in Butte County, SD are Belle Fourche High School - 01, Newell Elementary - 02 and South Park Elementary - 03. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Butte County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Butte County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Schools in Butte County (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Belle Fourche High School - 01
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1301 12th Ave
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3350
Gr: 9-12 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Newell Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
501 Dartmouth Ave
Newell, SD 57760
(605) 456-0102
Gr: PK-5 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
South Park Elementary - 03
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1816 Valley Dr
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3382
Gr: 1-4 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
Belle Fourche Middle School - 07
(Math: 33% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1302 Ziebach St
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3367
Gr: 5-8 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #55.
Newell Middle School - 04
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
501 Dartmouth Ave
Newell, SD 57760
(605) 456-0102
Gr: 6-8 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Newell High School - 01
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
501 Dartmouth Ave
Newell, SD 57760
(605) 456-0102
Gr: 9-12 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: n/an/a
29 N 6th Ave
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3379
Gr: K | 89 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Butte County, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Butte County, SD include Belle Fourche High School - 01, Newell Elementary - 02 and South Park Elementary - 03.
How many public schools are located in Butte County?
8 public schools are located in Butte County.
What is the racial composition of students in Butte County?
Butte County public schools minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 34% (majority American Indian).

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