For the 2025-26 school year, there are 7 public middle schools serving 519 students in Lake County, SD.
The top ranked public middle schools in Lake County, SD are Chester Middle School - 03, Graceville Colony - 07 and Shannon Colony Elementary - 08. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lake County, SD public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 49% statewide average). Middle schools in Lake County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public middle school average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Middle Schools in Lake County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Chester Middle School - 03
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Gr: 6-8 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #22.
Graceville Colony - 07
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
23843 - 446a Ave
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-2267
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-2267
Gr: K-8 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #33.
Shannon Colony Elementary - 08
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
43945 235th St.
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 772-4443
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 772-4443
Gr: K-8 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #44.
Madison Middle School - 02
(Math: 39% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
830 Ne 9th St
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7717
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7717
Gr: 6-8 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #55.
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
24243 456th Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Gr: K-8 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: n/an/a
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Gr: K-8 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: n/an/a
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Gr: 6-8 | 63 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Lake County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Gr: K-8 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
211 Se 4th St
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7703
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7703
Gr: PK-5 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
23843 446 Ave
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-7721
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-7721
Gr: K-8 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
520 Nw 3rd St
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7714
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7714
Gr: 3-5 | 212 students Minority enrollment: 6%
220 W 2nd St
Ramona, SD 57054
(605) 482-8244
Ramona, SD 57054
(605) 482-8244
Gr: PK-6 | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
220 W 2nd St
Ramona, SD 57054
(605) 482-8244
Ramona, SD 57054
(605) 482-8244
Gr: 9-12 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
220 W 2nd St
Ramona, SD 57054
(605) 482-8244
Ramona, SD 57054
(605) 482-8244
Gr: 7-8 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Gr: PK-5 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Gr: 9-12 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Gr: 6-8 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
514 N Washington
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7721
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7721
Gr: K-2 | 254 students Minority enrollment: 6%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Lake County, SD?
The top ranked public middle schools in Lake County, SD include Chester Middle School - 03, Graceville Colony - 07 and Shannon Colony Elementary - 08.
How many public middle schools are located in Lake County?
7 public middle schools are located in Lake County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lake County?
Lake County public middle schools minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public middle schools average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Which public middle schools in Lake County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Lake County include: Shannon Colony Elementary - 08 vs. Graceville Colony - 07
Recent Articles

10 Advantages of Public Education in 2025
Explore 10 key benefits of public education in 2025, with fresh statistics, expert insights, and real-world examples for parents and educators.

COVID-19’s Lasting Impact on U.S. Public Schools (2025)
Explore how COVID-19 continues to affect U.S. public schools in 2025: learning losses, enrollment shifts, mental health, and recovery strategies.