For the 2025-26 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 3,296 students in Davison County, SD (there are 3 private schools, serving 365 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Davison County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%). Davison County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in South Dakota.
The top ranked public schools in Davison County, SD are Ethan High School - 01, Ethan Elementary - 02 and Ethan Jr. High - 03. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Davison County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Davison County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Davison County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ethan High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Gr: 9-12 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Ethan Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | 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
Gr: PK-6 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Ethan Jr. High - 03
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Gr: 7-8 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #44.
Longfellow Elementary - 05
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
110 N Mentzer St
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3092
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3092
Gr: K-5 | 312 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #55.
Mount Vernon Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 N Main
Mount Vernon, SD 57363
(605) 236-5237
Mount Vernon, SD 57363
(605) 236-5237
Gr: PK-5 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary - 04
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1301 N Kimball St
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3091
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3091
Gr: K-5 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #77.
L. B. Williams Elementary - 03
(Math: 54% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1420 W University Blvd
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3090
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3090
Gr: K-5 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #88.
Mount Vernon High School- 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
500 N Main
Mount Vernon, SD 57363
(605) 236-5237
Mount Vernon, SD 57363
(605) 236-5237
Gr: 9-12 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #99.
Mitchell Middle School - 02
(Math: 51% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
800 W 10th Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3051
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3051
Gr: 6-8 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1010.
Mitchell High School - 01
(Math: 42% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
920 N Capital St
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3034
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3034
Gr: 9-12 | 909 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1111.
Mount Vernon Middle School - 03
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 N Main
Mount Vernon, SD 57363
(605) 236-5237
Mount Vernon, SD 57363
(605) 236-5237
Gr: 6-8 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1212.
Rosedale Colony Elementary - 11
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
25986 Rosedale Rd
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 239-4215
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 239-4215
Gr: K-8 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1
Rank: #1313.
New Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 08
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
41844 269th St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 928-3040
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 928-3040
Gr: PK-8 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Rank: #1414.
Abbott House Elementary - 06
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
909 Court Merrill St
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 996-2486
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 996-2486
Gr: K-8 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: n/an/a
909 Court Merrill St
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 996-2486
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 996-2486
Gr: 9-12 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Davison County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
James Valley Ed Co-op (Closed 2009)
Special Education School
929 E 2nd Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3021
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-3021
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Davison County, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Davison County, SD include Ethan High School - 01, Ethan Elementary - 02 and Ethan Jr. High - 03. Davison County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in South Dakota.
How many public schools are located in Davison County?
15 public schools are located in Davison County.
What percentage of students in Davison County go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Davison County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Davison County?
Davison County public schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Davison County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Davison County include: Longfellow Elementary - 05 vs. Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary - 04, Mount Vernon Elementary - 02 vs. Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary - 04, Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary - 04 vs. Longfellow Elementary - 05
Recent Articles
School Vouchers 2025: Updated Pros and Cons
A 2025 update on school vouchers, including benefits, drawbacks, enrollment trends, and how vouchers affect public and private education.
The Role of Arts in Public Schools (2025 Update)
Explore why arts education remains vital in U.S. public schools, with updated data, new policy context, and insights for parents, students, and educators.
The Role of Sports in Public Schools in 2025
How sports in public schools shape learning, health, and community in 2025, with updated data, trends, and expert insights.
