Did you know that South Dakota has one of the lowest student-teacher ratios in the country, with just an average of thirteen students for every teacher? The state has a vibrant educational scene, with a mix of urban and rural schools that serve 141,429 K-12 students in 146 school districts.
Picking a school from the 1,821 public and private schools can be daunting. You may need to factor in the school’s academic performance, faculty experience, student culture, and leadership, among many other factors. Ultimately, the ideal school should meet your child’s unique learning needs, interests, and abilities.
Luckily, we’ve prepared a comprehensive list of the ten best schools in the state. We’ve taken into account the factors listed above, in addition to class sizes, standardized test scores, and GreatSchools.org rating.
The blog is broken into three sections, with schools ranked in ascending order in each category. Here are the ten best schools in South Dakota today that should make it into your final list for consideration.
Best Elementary Schools
Doland Elementary – 03
405 N Humphrey Dr, Doland, SD 57436
Doland Elementary-03 is an above-average public school in Doland within the Doland School District 56-2. The school has a small student population, with 58 kids in prekindergarten through sixth grade. GreatSchools.org gave it a 9/10 overall rating.
Doland Elementary offers an academically rigorous education in small class settings. It has one teacher for every sixteen students. Students at the school perform better in standardized tests mandated by the state than their peers in other schools. 75% of the students gain proficiency in math and 57% in English, with both proficiency rates above the state’s average.
Furthermore, underserved students at the school perform better than other students in the state. 78% of the underserved students at the school are making significant progress. Doland is making an excellent contribution to minimizing the inequality gap.
The school district employs highly qualified staff, with 80% of the faculty team having over three years of experience. Additionally, all the full-time instructors are certified. The school also employs paraprofessionals that handle its special education department.
Platte – Geddes Elementary- 02
400 Illinois Ave, Platte, SD 57369
Platte-Geddes Elementary-02 is a top-rated public elementary school in Platte within the Platte – Geddes School District 11-5. It serves roughly 254 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The school received a 9/10 rating from GreatSchools.org.
The school offers an enriched traditional curriculum with language arts, math, science, and social studies as the common core courses. Students at Platte-Geddes perform at or above grade levels for these subjects. For example, 80% attain proficiency in math and 68% in English.
The students can also enroll in special programs such as physical education, art, music, speech therapy, and school counseling. Platte-Geddes Elementary enjoys a relatively low student-teacher ratio, with one teacher for every twelve students. All teachers at the school are certified and have over three years of experience.
A parent at the school described it as a wonderful place for kids to grow and learn. They then appreciated the staff, incredible parent interaction, and small class sizes. The school is an excellent pick for parents searching for a small, inclusive school community in Platte.
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Lake Preston Elementary- 02
300 1st St NE, Lake Preston, SD 57249
Lake Preston Elementary is a public school serving roughly 82 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. The school is in a rural setting under the Lake Preston School District 38-3. GreatSchools.org gave the school a perfect/10 rating, a testament to the quality of education.
Lake Preston Elementary provides a traditional curriculum enriched with numerous special programs. Students at the school perform well in standardized test scores, with most performing at or above grade level. 91% gained proficiency in math and 86% in English.
Some special programs available at the school include counseling, music, art, library, technology, and physical education. Lake Preston Elementary also runs a Title Ⅰ program to support kids that may require extra academic help. It also has a learning lab with two full-time learning disability instructors and paraprofessionals for its special education program.
The school enjoys small class sizes that promote a close community feel within the student population. One teacher per every eight students allows the instructors to provide personalized feedback and attention to the kids. Besides, all the teachers are certified, and 89% have more than three years of teaching experience, making them qualified to teach young scholars.
Fred Assam Elementary – 06
7700 E Willowwood St, Sioux Falls, SD 57110
Fred Assam Elementary is a top-rated public elementary school serving kindergarten through fourth-grade students. It serves Sioux Falls neighborhoods and is within the Brandon Valley School District 49-2. The school received a fantastic 10/10 overall rating from GreatSchools.org.
The school’s mission is to provide a positive learning environment that prepares kids to become lifelong learners in cooperation with students, teachers, and parents. The kids’ performance on standardized test scores speaks highly of the school’s commitment to this mission. 83% of students perform at or above grade level proficiency in English and 78% in math.
The school has relatively large classes with one teacher for every seventeen students. However, all teachers at Fred Assam Elementary are certified and have over three years of experience.
The school is proud of its diversity, creating an inclusive culture where students from all backgrounds can excel. The student body has students from various social-economic backgrounds, with 81% being white, 7% black, 5% multiracial, 4% Hispanic, and 3% Asian.
A former student at the school highlighted their positive experience on Niche.com. The alumnus praised the teachers, terming them as fun and amazing. The former student goes ahead to recommend the school to others.
Best Middle Schools
Opal Elementary – 15
18010 Opal Road, Opal, SD 57758
Opal Elementary is a public school in the rural setting of Opal that serves roughly twelve kids in kindergarten through eighth grade. The small school community allows the kids to receive personalized instruction from their teachers. The school is part of the Meade School District 46-1.
GreatSchools.org gives Opal Elementary a 9/10 rating. Data from the South Dakota Department of Education on the school’s SBAC assessment reveals that students are performing at or above their grade level. 90% attained proficiency in math and 70% in English.
All underserved students at the school perform better than their peers across the state, with the school aiding in closing the inequality gap. 25% of the students come from low-income families. Statistics from the Civil Rights Data Collection show that students from low social-economic backgrounds made much more progress than other students across the state.
The small student population means that the school enjoys small classes, which allows the teachers to provide tailored feedback and instruction to each child. The teachers at the school are highly qualified. All are certified and have over three years of experience. The school is an excellent pick for families living in Opal.
Ethan Junior High School -03
320 South 2nd Street, Ethan, SD 57334
Ehan Junior High is a rural public middle school and is one of the three schools under the Ethan Schools District. The school serves approximately 44 students in grades seven and eight. GreatSchools.org gave the school an overall 9/10 rating.
Students at the school perform better than their peers across the state, with most performing at or above their grade level. According to the 2022 SBAC assessment in English Literature Arts and math, 80% of the students attain proficiency in English while 73% perform at or above grade level in math.
The school’s small setting allows the staff and students to create meaningful bonds, leading to better outcomes. The school enjoys a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the state’s average.
Teachers employed at the school are highly experienced. All are certified and have over two years of teaching experience. Students at the school can participate in various extracurricular activities, including joining organizations such as the booster club and student council.
Your child may also indulge in their sports of interest by joining the school’s athletic teams, such as softball, basketball, baseball, field, and track. Ethan Junior High is an excellent pick for families in Ethan searching for a well-rounded education for their kids.
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Kadoka Middle School – 03
800 Bayberry Street, Kadoka, SD 57543
Kadoka Middle School is a public school and one of the four middle schools under the Kadoka Area School District 35-2. The school has a student population of roughly 42 kids in sixth to eighth grade. GreatSchools.org gave Kadoka Middle a 9/10 rating on test scores, student progress, and equity.
The high test scores achieved by students at Kadoka Middle are significantly better than the state average. Most of them meet or exceed the expected academic standards for their grade level. 64% attain proficiency in English and 54% in math.
According to data reviewed by GreatSchools.org, the school is effectively narrowing the achievement gap, with underserved students outperforming their peers in the state. Seven of every ten underserved kids at the school recorded significant improvement in their performance.
The school enjoys a low student-teacher ratio, with one teacher for every eight kids. Small class sizes allow the instructors to provide individualized attention. 80% of the faculty members have over three years of experience. All of the teachers are certified. The school also has a part-time social worker that provides social services support for the kids.
Best High Schools
Sanborn Central High School – 01
40405 South Dakota 34, Forestburg, SD 57314
Sanborn Central High School is a top-rated public school in Forestburg under the Sanborn Central School District 55-5. It provides college preparatory education to approximately 44 students in ninth to twelfth grade. The school received a perfect 10/10 rating from GreatSchools.org.
Sanborn Central High boasts of a 100% four-year graduation rate against a state average of 82%. The students perform at or above their grade levels, with 91% attaining proficiency in English and 58% in math.
The school has an SAT/ACT participation rate of 30%, which speaks highly of its college preparatory focus. Additionally, Sanborn Central allows its students to earn college credits through dual enrollment programs. Approximately 22% of the students enroll in dual enrollment classes.
The school has a well-organized athletic program. Students can enroll in sports teams such as track, basketball, golf, volleyball, and football. The school enjoys small classes, with one teacher for every six students. Additionally, every Sanborn Central High faculty member is certified and has more than three years of teaching experience.
Corsica-Stickney High School
120 South Napoleon Avenue, Corsica, SD 57328
Corsica-Stickney High School is a public school in Corsica under the Corsica-Stickney 21-3 school district. The school has a small student population of 81 in ninth to twelfth grade. GreatSchools.org gave the school a 10/10 rating.
The school offers college preparatory instruction, boasting a 100% graduation rate. According to the 2022 SBAC assessment data from the South Dakota Department of Education, 85% of the students attain proficiency in English and 64% in math.
Corsica-Skickney High enjoys relatively small classes, with one faculty member for every nine kids. It allows the teachers to provide individualized feedback and attention. All teachers are certified and have more than three years of teaching experience.
Corsica-Skickney High also allows students to gain college credits by participating in dual enrollment programs. At least 24% of the students enroll in dual enrollment classes. Besides, 15% of the students undertake SATs or ACTs for their college entrance exams.
The school offers several athletic programs that help students explore their interests outside the classroom. Examples of sports teams that your child can enroll in include football, basketball, volleyball, and track.
Harding County High School – 01
12474 Tipperary Street, Buffalo, SD 57720
Harding County High School is a public high school in Buffalo under the Harding County School District 31-1. The school receives a 10/10 overall rating from GreatSchools.org, a testament to the quality of education provided. Harding County High serves approximately 65 students in ninth to twelfth grade.
The school has a 100% high school graduation rate, with 44% sitting for their ACTs or SATs while at school. The school also offers dual enrollment programs allowing students to earn college credits. 15% of the students sign up for dual enrollment classes. Harding County High was a Blue Ribbon School honoree in 2010.
The school’s small setting allows the students to have small classes, with one teacher for every ten students. The students benefit from the personalized instruction, with most performing at or above grade level. For example, 92% attain proficiency in English.
Harding County High provides students numerous opportunities to build their social, leadership, and communication skills. The school has several clubs and organizations the students can join, including chorus, band, yearbook, and student council. Additionally, students can participate in athletic programs such as cross-country, basketball, volleyball, track, football, golf, wrestling, and cheerleading.
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Finding the Right School for Your Child
South Dakota has an impressive education system with numerous top-rated public schools. Picking a school for your child doesn’t have to be challenging anymore. Our list of the ten best schools has highlighted institutions with the best graduation rates, student-teacher ratios, qualified staff, and high academic achievements.
Whether you are looking for a small inclusive school community or a large urban school with a more traditional curriculum, we’ve got you covered. We hope this guide will help you pick a school that suits your child’s interests, needs, and abilities.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com.