When talking about South Dakota, most people instantly think about Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. But the state offers much more, and its past nickname, “The Land of Plenty,” isn't far from the truth.
Mount Rushmore State is the seventeenth largest in the US and is rated among the ten happiest states thanks to its great quality of life and thriving economy. Add a reliable and quality education system to these and get one of the best states for family living.
The state not only has some of the country's top-ranked facilities, but schools here are among the most populated in the US. But how big? Here's a review of South Dakota's 13 largest institutions.
R.F. Pettigrew Elementary
7900 W 53Rd St, Sioux Falls, SD 57106
R.F. Pettigrew Elementary in Sioux Falls opened its doors to its first group of students (about 425) in August 2009. The institution aims to enrich and prepare its vast student body for the dynamic world. As such, staff members emphasize academic progress, social growth, and emotional well-being.
R.F. Pettigrew Elementary serves PK-5 to a student population of 965. This populace comprises 52% males and 48% females, and 27% come from minority groups. In addition, 26% of students face economic challenges and need aid.
The massive student population at R.F. Pettigrew Elementary relies on 49 educators and one school counselor, all working full-time. This means each staff member caters to about 20 scholars, which is higher than the district's average tutor-scholar ratio.
R.F. Pettigrew Elementary is the 37th best in South Dakota regarding the latest state-required examinations. The institution also has a reading proficiency rank of 27 and a math proficiency rank of 38. Furthermore, 64% and 71% of scholars at the school passed the proficient levels for math and reading.
Discovery Elementary
1506 S Discovery Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Sioux Falls is home to Discovery Elementary, a public school boasting rich culture, exemplary performance, and a massive student population. The school is reputable for exemplary academic and extracurricular performance, and students complete the program skilled and ready for advanced studies.
Discovery Elementary serves 855 scholars from prekindergarten to fifth grade. Of these, 51% are male scholars, while females make up 49%. Learners from minority groups comprise 19%.
The masses depend on 46 educators and one counselor, so the tutor-pupil ratio is 1:18. This ratio is higher than the average. Nonetheless, all faculty members are board certified, and 96.5% have taught for at least three years.
Discovery Elementary ranks 134 out of 210 elementary schools in South Dakota and is the 12th-best facility in Sioux Falls School District. The institution also ranks 128 for math proficiency and 107 for reading, and 49% and 51% of scholars attained or surpassed the proficiency levels for the two subjects.
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Wolf Creek School
E Hwy 18, Pine Ridge, SD 57770
Wolf Creek Elementary is known to offer a student-focused approach to student education. But besides the quality of education, the institution also has a massive population of primary school children.
The school services PK-8 to 705 scholars, with an equal distribution of male and female pupils. All students are from minority groups, and all face financial hurdles.
Wolf Creek School hires 48 trained and accredited educators and two full-time counselors. So each staff member serves approximately 15 learners, which is equal to the district's student-teacher ratio. In addition, 96% of faculty members are board certified, and 75.5% have at least three years of service.
Wolf Creek School ranks 158 out of 210 primary schools in the state and is among the best-performing schools in the district in statewide examinations. The school also boasts a Reading Proficiency Rank of 209 and a Math Proficiency Rank of 144. In addition, 2% of Wolf Creek students passed and scored above the math proficient level, and 5% attained similar success in reading proficiency.
John Harris Elementary
3501 E 49Th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57103
John Harris Elementary concludes our elementary schools section as the fourth most populated facility. The institution started operating in the fall of 1991 and was named after Dr. John Harris, a former Sioux Falls superintendent who served between 1968 and 1992.
The public school serves 692 PK-5 students, comprising 50% females and 50% males, with a 16% minority student enrollment. In addition, 19% of scholars face economic limitations.
The institution hires 34 full-time educators and one counselor, with each staff member catering to about 20 scholars. All these faculty members are trained and certified by the national board, and 94.3% have a minimum teaching experience of three years.
John Harris Elementary ranks 80 out of 210 in the state in the latest state-required examinations. The facility has a reading proficiency rank of 41 and ranks 59th in math proficiency. Furthermore, 57% of students achieved the math proficiency level, and 64% passed reading.
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Memorial Middle School
1401 S Sertoma Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Memorial Middle School is the most populated middle school in our comprehensive review. The public school opened its doors in 1995 to its first set of 750 students. Since then, the population has almost doubled.
The Memorial Middle School caters to a student population of 1,389 from sixth to eighth grades. The populace has a gender composition of 52% females and 48% males, and the current minority enrollment is 22%. Furthermore, enrollment opportunities for scholars with financial limitations are 26%.
The school's expansive student body relies on 79 tutors and two counselors for instruction and guidance, creating a 1:18 teacher-student ratio. All staff members are certified, and 88.4% of the team boasts teaching experience of at least three years.
Memorial Middle School ranks 35 out of 145 in the state and is the second-best performer in the Sioux Falls School District. The facility ranks in positions 32 and 37 for math and reading proficiency, and 55% and 63% of students passed both subjects.
Edison Middle School
2101 S West Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Established in 1954, Sioux Falls' Edison School is the second-largest middle school program in the state. The administration, teachers, and staff strive to expose students to challenges and opportunities that make them lifelong learners and adaptable to the changing world. The reputable public school serves 1,193 scholars between grades 6-8 with a 34% minority enrollment.
Edison Middle School's staff team comprises 71 board-certified educators, creating a teacher-student ratio of 1:17. Apart from all teachers having the right qualifications and certifications, about 92.3% have a minimum of three years of teaching experience.
Edison Middle School doesn't only stand out in terms of population; it is also among the state's academic powerhouses. The school ranks 19th out of 145 middle schools in South Dakota and is the best performer in the Sioux Falls School District in statewide exams, graduation rates, and student readiness for college.
In addition, the institution ranks in positions 22 and 24 for math and reading proficiency. Generally, about 58% of scholars passed math proficiency, and 64% exceeded the reading proficiency level.
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Patrick Henry Middle School
2200 S 5Th Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Patrick Henry Middle School prides itself as the home of the Patriots. The public school is famous for its highly dedicated staff and faculty members and exemplary performance in statewide test scores. But most importantly, the facility boasts one of the largest middle school populations in the country.
Patrick Henry Middle caters to 1,106 scholars between sixth and eighth grades. The girl's and boy's populations are almost on par, making up 51% and 49%, respectively. Furthermore, 27% of students are from minority groups, and about 30% of them face financial limitations and need aid.
The numerous learners count on 68 experienced tutors and three certified counselors for care and guidance. So, each staff member tends to about 16 scholars, equal to the district's average. Every teacher in this school is certified, and 95.8% have at least three years of experience.
Patrick Henry Middle School ranks 43 in the state and is the third best in the district. In addition, the school has a 54% math proficiency test score and a 58% reading proficiency score.
Roosevelt High School
6600 W 41st St, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57106
Roosevelt High School is the largest college-prep program on our list. The facility is among the 12 high schools in the district and serves 2,543 scholars between ninth to twelfth grades. The population comprises 48% females and 52% males.
About 31% of students come from minority communities and 37% face financial difficulties. Fortunately, the school serves reduced-price and free lunch to 7% and 30% of the populace.
Roosevelt High doesn't compromise the quality of its personnel and only hires trained and qualified staff members. This comprises 135 board-certified educators with years of combined experience. As a result, the facility boasts a tutor-apprentice ratio of 1:19.
Roosevelt High ranks 5,695 nationally and is the 12th best in the state. The school also ranks fifth in the Sioux Falls metro area and is the fourth best in the district.
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Lincoln High School
2900 S Cliff Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Named after the 16th US President, Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls is the second-largest school in the state. The school is in the same district as its Roosevelt High counterpart and is among the most populated in the country.
Lincoln High serves 2,117 scholars between ninth and twelfth grades. There's an equal distribution of male and female scholars, and students from minority communities constitute 30% of the populace.
About 34% face financial limitations. But to ensure the best learning experience, the facility enrolls 8% in the reduced-price lunch program, and 26% of scholars receive free lunch. In addition, Lincoln High hires 118 tutors, so each teacher saves about 18 scholars.
Lincoln High ranks 3,930 nationally and is the fifth best in the state. The facility also ranks second best in the district and metro area. In addition, the school boasts a college readiness index of 43.3/100 and a graduation rate of 82%
Washington High School
501 N Sycamore Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57110
Washington High opened in 1904 to host a section of the population that had outgrown Sioux Falls Central School. In February 1908, the school enrolled its first set of students. Since then, the school has grown in population and continues to enhance its quality of education.
Washington High serves 1,975 scholars between ninth to twelfth grades, comprising 49% males and 51% females. About 51% are from minority groups and 52% face economic limitations. Fortunately, the school offers free and slashed-priced meal programs, catering to 41% and 11% of the populace, respectively.
Washington High hires 122 Full-Time Equivalent Teachers, hence a teacher-student ratio of 1:16. The school ranks 3,672 nationally and is the third-best performer in the state. In addition, the facility ranks top in the metro area and district. Finally, Washington High School has a college readiness index of 36.4/100 and an 86% graduation rate.
Notable Washington High Alumni
Joe Foss – Medal of Honor recipient and 20th governor of South Dakota
Matt Farniok – Center for the Dallas Cowboys
John Y. McCollister – Former U.S. Representative
David Soul – Actor and singer
Nathan Gerry – Former linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, currently a free agent
JaRon Harris – Former wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers
George S. Mickelson – 28th Governor of South Dakota
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South Dakota State University
1451 Stadium Rd, Brookings, SD 57007
Nestled in Brookings, South Dakota, is the state's largest higher learning institution, the South Dakota State University. The institution considers itself an environment where scholars make connections, try new things, and follow their career paths. Students here can explore about 200 program offerings and over 240 organizations while participating in daily events, innovative research, community outreach, and more.
South Dakota State University serves 11,465 scholars from different parts of the world. This populace constitutes a gender distribution of 5,050 male students and 6,415 female students.
The university's undergraduate program serves 9,847 scholars, comprising 5,400 females and 4,447 males. On the other hand, the school serves 1,618 graduate students, comprising 603 males and 1,015 females. In addition, the school caters to 3,375 part-timers and 8,090 full-timers.
South Dakota State University boasts a 42% four-year graduation rate and a faculty-student ratio of 1:17. About 30% of classes host a maximum of 20 scholars.
Notable South Dakota State University Alumni
Adam Vinatieri – American former professional football player who was a kicker in the National Football League (NFL) for 24 seasons with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts
Kristi Noem – 33rd governor of South Dakota since 2019
Dallas Goedert – American football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL)
Leo K. Thorsness – Colonel in the United States Air Force who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War
University of South Dakota
414 E. Clark Street Vermillion, SD 57069
The University of South Dakota, or USD, boasts a vibrant atmosphere, a welcoming community, and vast student involvement opportunities. This globally renowned institution promises a full student experience with hundreds of coursework programs. Learners also experience flexible offerings and potentially viable career pathways and can learn from anywhere, thanks to the school's online programs.
The University of South Dakota serves 9,464 scholars and constitutes a gender distribution of 3,429 males and 6,035 females. The undergraduate program serves 6,987 students, while graduate students make up 2,477. In addition, USD caters to 3,600 part-timers and 5,864 full-timers. USD also offers online degree programs, catering to 3,109 students.
The University of South Dakota boasts a 43% four-Year Graduation Rate and a faculty-student ratio of 1:15. Also, 48% of classes serve no more than 20 students. Consequently, the facility ranks 263 among national universities and is the 132nd-best top public school.
Notable University of South Dakota Alumni
Tom Brokaw – American retired network television journalist and author, known for The Today Show
Tom Laughlin – American actor, director, screenwriter, author, educator, and activist
Faith Spotted Eagle – American activist and politician. She is a member of the Yankton Sioux Nation who attempted to block development of the Keystone XL pipeline and the Dakota Access Pipeline
Dennis Daugaard – the 32nd governor of South Dakota from 2011 to 2019
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Black Hills State University
1200 University Street Spearfish, SD 57799
Black Hills State University closes our list as the third-largest university in the United States. The institution provides vast opportunities for students to learn from the industry's best. In addition, faculty, staff, and students collaborate to maintain the facility's challenging and positive academic environment. The comprehensive regional public institution is nestled in Spearfish, northern Black Hills.
Black Hills State University serves 3,539 scholars with a gender distribution of 1,297 males and 2,242 female students. There are 3,346 undergraduate students in the school, comprising 1,231 males and 2,115 females. In addition, the school serves 193 graduate students.
The student population attending part-time classes is 1,814, and the school has 1,725 full-time scholars. In addition, the school offers distance learning opportunities, and 1,356 apprentices pursue online degree programs.
Black Hills State University ranks 127-166th in Midwest regional universities and 45-56th among the top public schools.
Notable Black Hills State University Alumni
Sean Sherman – Chef and author
Ryan Maher – Member of the South Dakota Senate
Brian Shaw – Four-time winner of the World's Strongest Man competition
Roger Tellinghuisen – 27th Attorney General of South Dakota
Raymond W. Carpenter – Major General of the Army who served as acting Director of the National Guard
Dan Davis – Writer and former fugitive
Dick Termes – Artist
How Do You Choose the Right School?
South Dakota has numerous massive schools boasting vast student populations. Therefore, you have limitless options if the student population is among your key priorities.
But while the insights in this review can simplify your search, it's still difficult to pick a final option that aligns with your goals or priorities. To overcome this hurdle, you should pay attention to several critical considerations.
If you're looking for a diverse and high quality community of students to enroll your child in, consider the quality of education, staff qualifications, meal programs, and commute distance. But if you're seeking a job, ensure you check out the workplace culture, workload, remuneration, and parent involvement.
By focusing on these areas, you'll easily pick an institution that aligns with your values, objectives, and plans.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©smolaw/Shutterstock.com.