For the 2026-27 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 429 students in Perkins County, SD.
The top-ranked public schools in Perkins County, SD are Bison High School - 01, Lemmon Elementary - 02 and Bison Elementary - 02. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Perkins County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Perkins County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Perkins County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bison High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
200 E Carr St
Bison, SD 57620
(605) 244-5271
Bison, SD 57620
(605) 244-5271
Gr: 9-12 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Lemmon Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
905 5th Ave W
Lemmon, SD 57638
(605) 374-3784
Lemmon, SD 57638
(605) 374-3784
Gr: K-5 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Bison Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 E Carr St
Bison, SD 57620
(605) 244-5271
Bison, SD 57620
(605) 244-5271
Gr: K-6 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Lemmon High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
314 8th St W
Lemmon, SD 57638
(605) 374-3762
Lemmon, SD 57638
(605) 374-3762
Gr: 9-12 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Lemmon Jr. High - 06
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
314 8th St W
Lemmon, SD 57638
(605) 374-3762
Lemmon, SD 57638
(605) 374-3762
Gr: 6-8 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #66.
Bison Jr. High - 04
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
200 E Carr St
Bison, SD 57620
(605) 244-5271
Bison, SD 57620
(605) 244-5271
Gr: 7-8 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Perkins County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Po Box 218
Lodgepole, SD 57640
(605) 564-2662
Lodgepole, SD 57640
(605) 564-2662
Gr: K-8 | 4 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Perkins County, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Perkins County, SD include Bison High School - 01, Lemmon Elementary - 02 and Bison Elementary - 02.
How many public schools are located in Perkins County?
6 public schools are located in Perkins County.
What is the racial composition of students in Perkins County?
Perkins County public schools minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Recent Articles
What Makes an Elementary School Feel Supportive?
Discover what makes one elementary school more supportive than another, from teacher relationships and family communication to classroom attention, belonging, student services, leadership, routines, and responsive academic support systems.
Second School Tour: Questions Parents Forget to Ask
A second school tour can reveal what families miss initially. Learn which questions to ask about teachers, support, schedules, safety, communication, programs, and everyday student life before enrolling.
Attendance Policies Are Changing: Parent Guide 2026
Attendance policies are changing across public schools. Learn what parents should examine about absences, tardiness, interventions, flexibility, communication, and student support before choosing a school for their child today.