Top 100 lowest student–teacher ratio in South Dakota (2025)

Schools with the fewest students per FTE teacher, among schools with at least 100 students. Ordered by the measure shown, with the Success Index (US) for context; 100 schools shown.

#	School	Sector	Students per teacher	Success Index (US)	Key result	Students
1	Lincoln Elementary - 08 Aberdeen · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	8.3	49.1 Lower 50%	37% Math proficiency	233
2	Oldham-Ramona-Rutland Elementary Rutland · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	8.3	81.1 Top 10%	21.6% Free/reduced-price lunch	116
3	McLaughlin High School - 01 McLaughlin · High · Grades 9–12	Public	8.6	14.1 Lower 50%	10% Math proficiency	155
4	Bennett County High School - 01 Martin · High · Grades 9–12	Public	8.9	34.7 Lower 50%	10% Math proficiency	125
5	Lead-Deadwood Elementary - 03 Deadwood · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	9.0	56.2 Top 50%	37% Math proficiency	243
6	Lyman Elementary - 04 Kennebec · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	9.5	61.9 Top 50%	54.5% Math proficiency	171
7	Longfellow Elementary - 05 Mitchell · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	9.7	67.0 Top 50%	57% Math proficiency	290
8	Kadoka Elementary - 02 Kadoka · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	9.8	61.6 Top 50%	54.5% Math proficiency	118
9	Stanley County Elementary - 08 Fort Pierre · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	9.9	62.7 Top 50%	47% Math proficiency	178
10	Lead-Deadwood Middle School - 02 Lead · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	9.9	55.3 Top 50%	32% Math proficiency	139
11	Bridgewater-Emery High School - 01 Emery · High · Grades 9–12	Public	10.0	51.3 Top 50%	30% Math proficiency	100
12	Freeman High School - 01 Freeman · High · Grades 9–12	Public	10.0	82.8 Top 10%	69.5% Math proficiency	110
13	Marion Elementary - 02 Marion · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	10.0	73.4 Top 25%	54.5% Math proficiency	100
14	Wagner Elementary - 02 Wagner · Elementary · Grades K–4	Public	10.1	40.5 Lower 50%	52% Math proficiency	333
15	Chamberlain Elementary - 03 Chamberlain · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	10.2	58.0 Top 50%	47% Math proficiency	407
16	Flandreau Middle School - 03 Flandreau · Middle · Grades 5–8	Public	10.2	54.3 Top 50%	41% Math proficiency	193
17	Parkston High School - 01 Parkston · High · Grades 9–12	Public	10.2	67.8 Top 25%	34.5% Math proficiency	112
18	White River High School - 01 White River · High · Grades 9–12	Public	10.2	26.4 Lower 50%	10% Math proficiency	112
19	Bennett County Elementary School - 03 Martin · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	10.3	20.1 Lower 50%	22% Math proficiency	217
20	Custer Elementary - 02 Custer · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	10.3	61.4 Top 50%	42% Math proficiency	269
21	Elkton Elementary - 02 Elkton · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	10.3	45.1 Lower 50%	27% Math proficiency	186
22	Timber Lake Elementary - 02 Timber Lake · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	10.3	66.2 Top 50%	57% Math proficiency	185
23	Gregory High School - 01 Gregory · High · Grades 9–12	Public	10.6	59.6 Top 50%	49.5% Math proficiency	117
24	Chester High School - 01 Chester · High · Grades 9–12	Public	10.7	86.6 Top 5%	69.5% Math proficiency	107
25	West Elementary - 03 Spearfish · Elementary · Grades 1–2	Public	10.7	91.4 Top 5%	17.1% Free/reduced-price lunch	322
26	Canistota Elementary - 02 Canistota · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	10.8	90.0 Top 5%	95% Math proficiency	141
27	Centerville Elementary - 02 Centerville · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	10.8	69.6 Top 25%	57% Math proficiency	108
28	Redfield High School - 01 Redfield · High · Grades 9–12	Public	10.9	56.1 Top 50%	34.5% Math proficiency	153
29	Chamberlain High School - 01 Chamberlain · High · Grades 9–12	Public	11.0	53.6 Top 50%	24.5% Math proficiency	243
30	Miller Elementary - 02 Miller · Elementary · Grades K–6	Public	11.0	75.5 Top 25%	57% Math proficiency	231
31	Plankinton Elementary - 02 Plankinton · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	11.0	56.2 Top 50%	47% Math proficiency	132
32	Summit Elementary - 02 Summit · Elementary · Grades PK–8	Public	11.0	51.3 Top 50%	37% Math proficiency	132
33	Britton-Hecla Elementary - 02 Britton · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	11.1	76.3 Top 25%	57% Math proficiency	166
34	Lead-Deadwood High School - 01 Lead · High · Grades 9–12	Public	11.1	47.8 Lower 50%	15% Math proficiency	211
35	Terry Redlin Elementary - 11 Sioux Falls · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	11.1	21.2 Lower 50%	14% Math proficiency	412
36	Wilmot Elementary - 02 Wilmot · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	11.2	38.7 Lower 50%	32% Math proficiency	112
37	Buffalo Elementary - 02 Buffalo · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	11.2	80.1 Top 10%	74.5% Math proficiency	101
38	Wessington Springs Elementary - 02 Wessington Springs · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	11.2	59.3 Top 50%	47% Math proficiency	145
39	Sanborn Central Elementary - 06 Forestburg · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	11.3	73.4 Top 25%	54.5% Math proficiency	102
40	Dupree Elementary - 02 Dupree · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	11.3	25.7 Lower 50%	27% Math proficiency	203
41	Florence High School - 01 Florence · High · Grades 9–12	Public	11.3	81.0 Top 10%	75% Math proficiency	102
42	Kimball Elementary - 02 Kimball · Elementary · Grades PK–4	Public	11.3	85.6 Top 5%	84.5% Math proficiency	102
43	McLaughlin Elementary - 02 McLaughlin · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	11.3	12.0 Lower 50%	2.5% Math proficiency	203
44	Redfield Elementary - 03 Redfield · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	11.3	40.1 Lower 50%	17% Math proficiency	271
45	White River Elementary - 02 White River · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	11.5	19.9 Lower 50%	22% Math proficiency	172
46	Hitchcock-Tulare Elementary - 05 Hitchcock · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	11.6	67.8 Top 50%	54.5% Math proficiency	116
47	South Park Elementary - 03 Belle Fourche · Elementary · Grades 1–4	Public	11.6	50.1 Top 50%	47% Math proficiency	347
48	Laura B. Anderson Elementary - 10 Sioux Falls · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	11.6	32.0 Lower 50%	27% Math proficiency	291
49	Waverly-South Shore Elementary - 02 Waverly · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	11.6	36.2 Lower 50%	24.5% Math proficiency	128
50	Sisseton Middle School - 02 Sisseton · Middle · Grades 5–8	Public	11.7	30.7 Lower 50%	24% Math proficiency	281
51	May Overby Elementary - 09 Aberdeen · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	11.7	58.3 Top 50%	47% Math proficiency	327
52	Burke Elementary - 02 Burke · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	11.7	59.5 Top 50%	44.5% Math proficiency	105
53	Deubrook High School - 01 White · High · Grades 9–12	Public	11.7	74.3 Top 25%	49.5% Math proficiency	105
54	Garretson High School - 01 Garretson · High · Grades 9–12	Public	11.8	51.0 Top 50%	24.5% Math proficiency	142
55	Miller High School - 01 Miller · High · Grades 9–12	Public	11.8	65.9 Top 50%	30% Math proficiency	141
56	Wagner High School - 01 Wagner · High · Grades 9–12	Public	11.8	37.9 Lower 50%	24.5% Math proficiency	201
57	Deubrook Elementary - 03 Toronto · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	11.8	77.7 Top 25%	57% Math proficiency	225
58	Westside Elementary - 03 Sisseton · Elementary · Grades PK–4	Public	11.9	35.3 Lower 50%	28% Math proficiency	380
59	Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 Bridgewater · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	11.9	79.8 Top 25%	67% Math proficiency	143
60	Hot Springs High School - 01 Hot Springs · High · Grades 9–12	Public	11.9	60.1 Top 50%	34.5% Math proficiency	215
61	Wall Elementary - 02 Wall · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	11.9	73.3 Top 25%	64.5% Math proficiency	107
62	Milbank Elementary - 03 Milbank · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	12.0	60.9 Top 50%	40% Math proficiency	408
63	Freeman Elementary - 02 Freeman · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	12.0	69.5 Top 25%	57% Math proficiency	192
64	Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	12.0	74.3 Top 25%	54.5% Math proficiency	108
65	Mountain View Elementary - 08 Spearfish · Elementary · Grades K–K	Public	12.0	81.0 Top 10%	20.8% Free/reduced-price lunch	168
66	Platte - Geddes High School - 01 Platte · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.0	65.5 Top 50%	30% Math proficiency	132
67	Hermosa Elementary - 04 Hermosa · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	12.1	51.7 Top 50%	32% Math proficiency	181
68	Harrisburg South Middle School - 03 Harrisburg · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.1	80.7 Top 10%	60% Math proficiency	519
69	Ipswich Elementary - 02 Ipswich · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	12.1	83.7 Top 10%	72% Math proficiency	182
70	Highmore Elementary - 02 Highmore · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	12.1	76.2 Top 25%	67% Math proficiency	133
71	Chamberlain Jr. High - 02 Chamberlain · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.2	53.0 Top 50%	37% Math proficiency	208
72	Harrisburg East Middle School - 11 Sioux Falls · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.2	85.3 Top 5%	20.6% Free/reduced-price lunch	428
73	L. B. Williams Elementary - 03 Mitchell · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	12.2	71.1 Top 25%	60% Math proficiency	438
74	Mount Vernon Elementary - 02 Mount Vernon · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	12.2	59.6 Top 50%	54.5% Math proficiency	110
75	Rockyford School - 03 Porcupine · Elementary · Grades PK–8	Public	12.2	13.1 Lower 50%	6% Math proficiency	404
76	Milbank High School - 01 Milbank · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.3	58.1 Top 50%	22% Math proficiency	333
77	Clear Lake Elementary - 02 Clear Lake · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	12.3	54.7 Top 50%	32% Math proficiency	270
78	Dupree High School - 01 Dupree · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.3	32.3 Lower 50%	30% Math proficiency	111
79	Faulkton Elementary - 02 Faulkton · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	12.3	81.1 Top 10%	67% Math proficiency	185
80	Madison Middle School - 02 Madison · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.3	68.5 Top 25%	46% Math proficiency	270
81	North Middle School - 35 Rapid City · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.3	19.4 Lower 50%	18% Math proficiency	418
82	Wolf Creek School - 02 Pine Ridge · Elementary · Grades PK–8	Public	12.3	12.5 Lower 50%	2% Math proficiency	567
83	Sturgis Elementary - 03 Sturgis · Elementary · Grades K–4	Public	12.3	78.5 Top 25%	70% Math proficiency	531
84	Harrisburg North Middle School - 08 Sioux Falls · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.4	78.3 Top 25%	53% Math proficiency	534
85	Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 Wakonda · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	12.4	55.1 Top 50%	42% Math proficiency	161
86	Bennett County Middle School - 06 Martin · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.5	23.5 Lower 50%	17% Math proficiency	100
87	Tyndall Elementary - 04 Tyndall · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	12.5	69.5 Top 25%	64.5% Math proficiency	188
88	Clark Elementary - 02 Clark · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	12.5	62.6 Top 50%	54.5% Math proficiency	212
89	Flandreau Elementary - 04 Flandreau · Elementary · Grades K–4	Public	12.5	47.0 Lower 50%	37% Math proficiency	287
90	Parker Elementary - 02 Parker · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	12.5	72.4 Top 25%	57% Math proficiency	238
91	Batesland School - 01 Batesland · Elementary · Grades PK–8	Public	12.5	11.5 Lower 50%	7.5% Math proficiency	175
92	Wall High School - 01 Wall · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.5	70.4 Top 25%	49.5% Math proficiency	100
93	Hamlin High School - 01 Hayti · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.6	86.4 Top 5%	74.5% Math proficiency	226
94	New Underwood Elementary - 02 New Underwood · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	12.6	75.8 Top 25%	67% Math proficiency	113
95	Iroquois Elementary - 04 Iroquois · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	12.7	31.4 Lower 50%	24.5% Math proficiency	114
96	Whittier Middle School - 08 Sioux Falls · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.7	28.9 Lower 50%	25% Math proficiency	675
97	Viborg-Hurley Middle School - 03 Hurley · Middle · Grades 5–8	Public	12.7	45.9 Lower 50%	27% Math proficiency	114
98	Alcester-Hudson Elementary - 04 Alcester · Elementary · Grades K–6	Public	12.8	47.5 Lower 50%	32% Math proficiency	166
99	Medary Elementary - 05 Brookings · Elementary · Grades PK–3	Public	12.8	58.1 Top 50%	42% Math proficiency	358
100	Hot Springs Elementary - 02 Hot Springs · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	12.8	61.5 Top 50%	47% Math proficiency	306

Lincoln Elementary - 08 in Aberdeen leads the 2025 list of lowest student–teacher ratio in South Dakota with Students per teacher 8.3. Of the 100 schools shown, 100 are public.

Use the rankings to build a shortlist, then visit the schools and ask how they support students at your child's level.

Download this table as CSV · free to reuse with attribution to the original sources and Success Tutoring

Lowest Student–Teacher Ratio in:United States Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Free academic assessment

Is your child on grade level in reading and math?

Success Tutoring offers personalised English and math tutoring from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Start with a free online assessment and a clear plan for the year ahead.

Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT

Frequently asked questions

What is the best ratio school in South Dakota?

Lincoln Elementary - 08 in Aberdeen ranks first among lowest student–teacher ratio in South Dakota with Students per teacher 8.3 (Enrollment: 233).

How are lowest student–teacher ratio in South Dakota ranked?

Schools with the fewest students per FTE teacher, among schools with at least 100 students. Only schools eligible for the Success Index (US) are included; the index is shown alongside for context.

Are these 2025 rankings official?

No. They are computed by Success Tutoring from official American data (Urban Institute Education Data Portal (NCES CCD, EDFacts); NCES Common Core of Data). States set their own assessments and proficiency cut scores, so proficiency rates are most comparable within a state. Use the state rankings for like-for-like comparisons.