For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 3,788 students in Watertown, SD (there are 5 private schools, serving 585 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Watertown, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Watertown, SD are Lincoln Elementary - 05, Mckinley Elementary - 06 and Watertown Middle School - 02. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Watertown, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Watertown have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% 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 Watertown, SD (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lincoln Elementary - 05
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1100 13th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Gr: PK-4 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #22.
Mckinley Elementary - 06
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5 12th St Sw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Gr: PK-4 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Watertown Middle School - 02
(Math: 50% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1700 11th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6370
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6370
Gr: 7-8 | 587 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Jefferson Elementary - 09
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1701 N Maple St
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6390
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6390
Gr: PK-4 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Watertown High School - 01
(Math: 36% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
200 Ne 9th St
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6316
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6316
Gr: 9-12 | 1,222 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #66.
Mellette Elementary - 07
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
619 2nd St Nw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6385
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6385
Gr: PK-4 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #77.
Watertown Intermediate School - 13
(Math: 41% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
601 11th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6355
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6355
Gr: 5-6 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #88.
Waverly-south Shore High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
319 Mary Pl
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Gr: 9-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #99.
Waverly-south Shore Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
319 Mary Pl
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Gr: PK-5 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1010.
Waverly-south Shore Middle School - 03
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
319 Mary Pl
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Gr: 6-8 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Watertown, South Dakota Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
216 10th St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6398
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6398
Gr: PK | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
216 10th St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6399
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6399
Gr: PK-K | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Northeast Technical High School - 01 (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
1311 3rd Ave Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6380
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6380
Gr: 9-12
412 2nd St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6360
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6360
Gr: PK-4 | 148 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Watertown, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Watertown, SD include Lincoln Elementary - 05, Mckinley Elementary - 06 and Watertown Middle School - 02.
How many public schools are located in Watertown?
10 public schools are located in Watertown.
What percentage of students in Watertown go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Watertown are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Watertown?
Watertown public schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 33% (majority American Indian).
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