South Dakota is the #41 largest school system in the United States, serving 145,551 students across the 748 public schools for the 2024 school year (there are , serving 13,676 students). 91% of all K-12 students in South Dakota are educated in public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in South Dakota is 43%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 51%.
The top ranked public schools in South Dakota are Challenge Center - 51, Adventure Elementary - 10 and Lake Preston Elementary - 02. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
There are 44 Blue Ribbon Schools, and 19 special education schools.
Minority enrollment is 31% (majority American Indian) and the student:teacher ratio is 13:1.
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class="list-title">Student by EthnicityÂ鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½>
(SD) School Average
American Indian
14%
Asian
2%
Hispanic
7%
Black
3%
White
69%
Two or more races
5%
![This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in South Dakota. This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in South Dakota.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/state_ethnicity/998000/998368/south-dakota-chart-hyTG9f.png)
Top Ranked Public Schools in South Dakota (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Challenge Center - 51
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 2-5
3101 S 4th Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-6170
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-6170
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Adventure Elementary - 10
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
27220 472nd Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
(605) 432-2567
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
(605) 432-2567
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Lake Preston Elementary - 02
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
300 1st St Ne
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Warner Elementary - 02
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Rank: #55.
Fred Assam Elementary - 06
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-4
7700 E Willowwood St
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-1500
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-1500
Rank: #66.
Inspiration Elementary - 08
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-4
3401 S Sparta Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-5890
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-5890
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Brandon Valley High School - 01
(Math: 72% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 72% (Top 5%)
Reading: 82% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
301 S Splitrock Blvd
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-3211
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-3211
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 10%)
Grades: PK-5
603 Garfield St
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Arlington Elementary - 02
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-6
306 S Main St
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5741
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5741
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Warner Middle School - 03
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: 6-8
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class="list-title center">Best South Dakota Public Schools by County (2024)Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½>
Popular neighborhoods: All Saints (5 schools), Beadie Greenway (2 schools), North End West (1 schools), Riverside (1 schools), Whittier (1 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>Frequently Asked QuestionsÂ鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½>
What are the top ranked public schools in South Dakota?
The top ranked public schools in South Dakota include Challenge Center - 51, Adventure Elementary - 10 and Lake Preston Elementary - 02.
How many public schools are located in South Dakota?
748 public schools are located in South Dakota.
What percentage of students in South Dakota go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in South Dakota are educated in public schools (compared to national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in South Dakota?
Minority enrollment in South Dakota is 31% (majority American Indian)
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