For the 2026-27 school year, there are 11 public elementary schools serving 2,551 students in Meade County, SD.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Meade County, SD are Sturgis Elementary - 03, Faith Elementary - 02 and Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Meade County, SD public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Meade County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Meade County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sturgis Elementary - 03
(Math: 69% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1121 Ballpark Rd
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-2386
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-2386
Gr: K-4 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Faith Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
206 W 5th St
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Gr: PK-6 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05
(Math: 64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
16159 2nd St
Piedmont, SD 57769
(605) 787-5295
Piedmont, SD 57769
(605) 787-5295
Gr: K-4 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #44.
Opal Elementary - 15
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
18010 Opal Rd
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #55.
Hereford Elementary - 08
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15998 Cross S Rd
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #66.
Developmental Disabilities Program - 01
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2885 Dickson Dr
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 423-4444
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 423-4444
Gr: PK-12
Rank: #77.
Sturgis Williams Middle School - 02
(Math: 41% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1425 Cedar St
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-5232
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-5232
Gr: 5-8 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #88.
Stagebarn Middle School - 10
(Math: 44% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
12500 Sturgis Rd
Piedmont, SD 57769
(605) 787-4172
Piedmont, SD 57769
(605) 787-4172
Gr: 5-8 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #99.
Central Meade County School - 09
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
19625 Ball Field Road
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1010.
Black Hawk Elementary - 03
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
7108 Seeaire St
Black Hawk, SD 57718
(605) 787-6701
Black Hawk, SD 57718
(605) 787-6701
Gr: K-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: n/an/a
Hwy 34 East Cherry Creek Rd
Howes, SD 57748
(605) 538-4399
Howes, SD 57748
(605) 538-4399
Gr: K-12 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1
Meade County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Alternative Program (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
Po Box 218
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-4467
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-4467
Gr: 6-12 | 18 students Minority enrollment: 22%
206 W 5th St
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Gr: PK | 4 students Minority enrollment: 25%
17291 Us Hwy 212
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Gr: K-8 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Sturgis Academy (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
12930 E Hwy 34
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-2686
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-2686
Gr: 9-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
1230 Douglas St
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-5232
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-5232
Gr: 5 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
17000 Sd Hwy 34
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Meade County, SD?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Meade County, SD include Sturgis Elementary - 03, Faith Elementary - 02 and Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05.
How many public elementary schools are located in Meade County?
8 public elementary schools are located in Meade County.
What is the racial composition of students in Meade County?
Meade County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary schools average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Which public elementary schools in Meade County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Meade County include: Black Hawk Elementary - 03 vs. Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05, Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05 vs. Black Hawk Elementary - 03
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