For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public elementary schools serving 2,272 students in Codington County, SD.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Codington County, SD are Lincoln Elementary - 05, Mckinley Elementary - 06 and Mellette Elementary - 07. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Codington County, SD public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Codington County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Codington County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lincoln Elementary - 05
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1100 13th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Grades: PK-4
| 338 students
Rank: #22.
Mckinley Elementary - 06
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5 12th St Sw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Grades: PK-4
| 255 students
Rank: #33.
Mellette Elementary - 07
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
619 2nd St Nw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6385
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6385
Grades: PK-4
| 235 students
Rank: #44.
Jefferson Elementary - 09
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1701 N Maple St
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6390
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6390
Grades: PK-4
| 332 students
Rank: #55.
Watertown Intermediate School - 13
(Math: 47% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
601 11th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6355
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6355
Grades: 5-6
| 556 students
Rank: #66.
Waverly-south Shore Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
319 Mary Pl
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Grades: PK-5
| 113 students
Rank: #77.
Florence Middle School - 03
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
515 Main Ave
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Grades: 6-8
| 65 students
Rank: #88.
Florence Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
515 Main Ave
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Grades: PK-5
| 172 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Henry Elementary - 02
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
111 N Cedar
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Grades: PK-5
| 93 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Waverly-south Shore Middle School - 03
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
319 Mary Pl
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Grades: 6-8
| 60 students
Rank: #1111.
Henry Middle School - 03
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
111 N Cedar
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Grades: 6-8
| 53 students
Codington County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
216 10th St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6398
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6398
Grades: PK
| 50 students
216 10th St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6399
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6399
Grades: PK-K
| 66 students
Northeast Technical High School - 01 (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
1311 3rd Ave Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6380
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6380
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
412 2nd St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6360
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6360
Grades: PK-4
| 148 students
203 South School St
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
Grades: PK-5
| 30 students
203 S School St
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
Grades: 9-12
| 30 students
203 S School St
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
Grades: 7-8
| 11 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Codington County, SD?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Codington County, SD include Lincoln Elementary - 05, Mckinley Elementary - 06 and Mellette Elementary - 07.
How many public elementary schools are located in Codington County?
11 public elementary schools are located in Codington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Codington County?
Codington County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary schools average of 36% (majority American Indian).
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