The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a county which have placed in the top 10% of all schools statewide.
A school's overall rank is based on its combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Schools are ranked and compared within their own state only.
Statewide Range: 20%
50%
Avg. Statewide: 29%
Top-Ranked Counties With Best Public Schools in South Dakota (2026-27)
County
% of Schools in
Top 10% Statewide
Top 10% Statewide
Top-Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #11.
50%
(3 out of 6)
(3 out of 6)
- Big Stone City Elementary - 01
Rank: #22 of 619 (Top 5%)
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%) - Big Stone City Middle School - 03
Rank: #29 of 619 (Top 5%)
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%) - Milbank Elementary - 03
Rank: #52 of 619 (Top 10%)
(Math: 56% | Reading: 70-74%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Grant County, SD Schools
Rank: #22.
38%
(3 out of 8)
(3 out of 8)
- Hanson Elementary - 06
Rank: #15 of 619 (Top 5%)
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-74%) - Hanson High School - 01
Rank: #20 of 619 (Top 5%)
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 70-79%) - Hanson Middle School - 02
Rank: #38 of 619 (Top 10%)
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Hanson County, SD Schools
Rank: #33.
25%
(3 out of 12)
(3 out of 12)
- Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02
Rank: #38 of 619 (Top 10%)
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%) - Canistota Elementary - 02
Rank: #42 of 619 (Top 10%)
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%) - Montrose Elementary - 02
Rank: #49 of 619 (Top 10%)
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Mccook County, SD Schools
Rank: #44.
24%
(5 out of 21)
(5 out of 21)
Rank: #5-65 - 6.
20%
(3 out of 15)
(3 out of 15)
Rank: #5-65 - 6.
20%
(3 out of 15)
(3 out of 15)
- Lake Preston Elementary - 02
Rank: #5 of 619 (Top 1%)
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%) - Arlington Jr. High - 03
Rank: #8 of 619 (Top 5%)
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%) - Arlington Elementary - 02
Rank: #26 of 619 (Top 5%)
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Kingsbury County, SD Schools
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