For the 2026-27 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 1,808 students in Dewey County, SD (there are 1 private school, serving 72 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Dewey County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Dewey County, SD are Timber Lake High School - 01, Timber Lake Elementary - 02 and Timber Lake Middle School - 03. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dewey County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Dewey County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 91% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Dewey County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Timber Lake High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Gr: 9-12 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #22.
Timber Lake Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Gr: PK-5 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #33.
Timber Lake Middle School - 03
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Gr: 6-8 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #44.
E. A. G. L. E. Center High School - 07
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
E St
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-8773
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-8773
Gr: 9-12 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
Rank: #55.
E.a.g.l.e. Center - 09
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
E St
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-8773
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-8773
Gr: 5-8
Rank: #66.
Eagle Butte Jr. High - 06
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
672 Main St
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-7841
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-7841
Gr: 7-8 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #77.
Eagle Butte High School - 01
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
W Frontier Ave
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-8744
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-8744
Gr: 9-12 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
Rank: #88.
Eagle Butte Upper Elementary - 03
(Math: 6% | Reading: 9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
24 W Prairie Rd
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-4911
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-4911
Gr: 3-6 | 281 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: n/an/a
2004 E Street
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-8777
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-8777
Gr: K-12 | 829 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: n/an/a
2006 Main St
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-7920
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-7920
Gr: K-2 | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: n/an/a
15618 1st Ave
Ridgeview, SD 57652
(605) 733-2290
Ridgeview, SD 57652
(605) 733-2290
Gr: K-12 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Dewey County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
S Prairie Rd
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-2702
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-2702
Gr: 3-4 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
504 N Taft
Isabel, SD 57633
(605) 466-2125
Isabel, SD 57633
(605) 466-2125
Gr: K-6 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
504 N Taft
Isabel, SD 57633
(605) 466-2125
Isabel, SD 57633
(605) 466-2125
Gr: 9-12 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
504 N Taft
Isabel, SD 57633
(605) 466-2125
Isabel, SD 57633
(605) 466-2125
Gr: 7-8 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Northwest Area Ed Cooperative - 01 (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
503 N Main
Isabel, SD 57633
(605) 466-2206
Isabel, SD 57633
(605) 466-2206
Gr: K-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Dewey County, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Dewey County, SD include Timber Lake High School - 01, Timber Lake Elementary - 02 and Timber Lake Middle School - 03.
How many public schools are located in Dewey County?
10 public schools are located in Dewey County.
What percentage of students in Dewey County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Dewey County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dewey County?
Dewey County public schools minority enrollment is 91% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public schools average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Recent Articles
School Leadership Matters: Evaluating a Principal
Learn how to evaluate a public school principal before enrolling by examining leadership stability, teacher support, communication, school culture, instructional priorities, discipline, family engagement, and measurable improvement efforts.
Comparing Before- and After-School Programs
Learn how to compare before- and after-school programs when choosing a public school, including hours, costs, staffing, safety, activities, enrollment rules, transportation, meals, and daily convenience for families.
Choosing a Public School During Budget Uncertainty
Learn which questions parents should ask when choosing a public school during budget uncertainty, including staffing, programs, class sizes, transportation, reserves, enrollment trends, and planned reductions ahead.
