Top 100 traditional public schools in South Dakota (2025)

District-run public schools. Ranked by the Success Index (US) from official American data; 100 schools shown.

#	School	Sector	Success Index (US)	Key result	Students
1	Warner Elementary - 02 Warner · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	92.2 Top 5%	87% Math proficiency	145
2	Dell Rapids Elementary - 02 Dell Rapids · Elementary · Grades K–4	Public	92.1 Top 5%	87% Math proficiency	355
3	West Elementary - 03 Spearfish · Elementary · Grades 1–2	Public	91.4 Top 5%	17.1% Free/reduced-price lunch	322
4	Challenge Center - 51 Sioux Falls · Elementary · Grades 2–5	Public	90.5 Top 5%	97.5% Math proficiency	165
5	Canistota Elementary - 02 Canistota · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	90.0 Top 5%	95% Math proficiency	141
6	Chester High School - 01 Chester · High · Grades 9–12	Public	86.6 Top 5%	69.5% Math proficiency	107
7	Hamlin High School - 01 Hayti · High · Grades 9–12	Public	86.4 Top 5%	74.5% Math proficiency	226
8	Arlington High School - 01 Arlington · High · Grades 9–12	Public	85.7 Top 5%	69.5% Math proficiency	76
9	Endeavor Elementary - 07 Sioux Falls · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	85.7 Top 5%	76% Math proficiency	358
10	Kimball Elementary - 02 Kimball · Elementary · Grades PK–4	Public	85.6 Top 5%	84.5% Math proficiency	102
11	Ethan High School - 01 Ethan · High · Grades 9–12	Public	85.5 Top 5%	69.5% Math proficiency	93
12	Arlington Elementary - 02 Arlington · Elementary · Grades K–6	Public	85.3 Top 5%	82% Math proficiency	152
13	Harrisburg East Middle School - 11 Sioux Falls · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	85.3 Top 5%	20.6% Free/reduced-price lunch	428
14	Groton Area High School - 01 Groton · High · Grades 9–12	Public	84.1 Top 5%	64.5% Math proficiency	168
15	Ipswich Elementary - 02 Ipswich · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	83.7 Top 10%	72% Math proficiency	182
16	Webster Area Elementary - 03 Webster · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	83.5 Top 10%	82% Math proficiency	274
17	Dakota Valley Elementary - 02 North Sioux City · Elementary · Grades K–3	Public	83.0 Top 10%	72% Math proficiency	386
18	Hanson Elementary - 06 Alexandria · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	83.0 Top 10%	72% Math proficiency	151
19	Freeman High School - 01 Freeman · High · Grades 9–12	Public	82.8 Top 10%	69.5% Math proficiency	110
20	Platte - Geddes Elementary - 02 Platte · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	82.5 Top 10%	67% Math proficiency	230
21	Timber Lake Middle School - 03 Timber Lake · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	82.1 Top 10%	72% Math proficiency	70
22	Warner Middle School - 03 Warner · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	81.6 Top 10%	72% Math proficiency	83
23	Robert Bennis Elementary - 05 Brandon · Elementary · Grades K–4	Public	81.5 Top 10%	77% Math proficiency	542
24	Parkston Elementary - 02 Parkston · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	81.2 Top 10%	72% Math proficiency	272
25	Faulkton Elementary - 02 Faulkton · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	81.1 Top 10%	67% Math proficiency	185
26	Oldham-Ramona-Rutland Elementary Rutland · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	81.1 Top 10%	21.6% Free/reduced-price lunch	116
27	Florence High School - 01 Florence · High · Grades 9–12	Public	81.0 Top 10%	75% Math proficiency	102
28	Mountain View Elementary - 08 Spearfish · Elementary · Grades K–K	Public	81.0 Top 10%	20.8% Free/reduced-price lunch	168
29	Pinedale Elementary - 11 Rapid City · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	81.0 Top 10%	74% Math proficiency	377
30	Southwest Middle School - 38 Rapid City · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	80.8 Top 10%	63% Math proficiency	614
31	Harrisburg South Middle School - 03 Harrisburg · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	80.7 Top 10%	60% Math proficiency	519
32	Howard High School - 01 Howard · High · Grades 9–12	Public	80.7 Top 10%	49.5% Math proficiency	96
33	Faulkton High School - 01 Faulkton · High · Grades 9–12	Public	80.2 Top 10%	49.5% Math proficiency	73
34	Groton Area Elementary - 02 Groton · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	80.2 Top 10%	62% Math proficiency	278
35	Buffalo Elementary - 02 Buffalo · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	80.1 Top 10%	74.5% Math proficiency	101
36	Groton Area Middle School - 04 Groton · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	79.9 Top 10%	57% Math proficiency	132
37	Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 Bridgewater · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	79.8 Top 25%	67% Math proficiency	143
38	Sully Buttes High School - 07 Onida · High · Grades 9–12	Public	79.6 Top 10%	49.5% Math proficiency	71
39	Corsica-Stickney Elementary - 02 Stickney · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	79.5 Top 25%	67% Math proficiency	150
40	Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake · High · Grades 9–12	Public	79.5 Top 10%	75% Math proficiency	69
41	Hill City High School - 01 Hill City · High · Grades 9–12	Public	79.4 Top 10%	64.5% Math proficiency	158
42	Elk Point-Jefferson Middle School - 03 Elk Point · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	79.2 Top 25%	62% Math proficiency	151
43	Gettysburg High School - 01 Gettysburg · High · Grades 9–12	Public	79.2 Top 10%	69.5% Math proficiency	72
44	Fred Assam Elementary - 06 Sioux Falls · Elementary · Grades K–4	Public	79.0 Top 25%	72% Math proficiency	531
45	Tea Area Legacy Elementary - 01 Tea · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	79.0 Top 25%	71% Math proficiency	538
46	Ethan Elementary - 02 Ethan · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	78.9 Top 25%	72% Math proficiency	155
47	Ipswich High School - 01 Ipswich · High · Grades 9–12	Public	78.7 Top 10%	49.5% Math proficiency	103
48	All City Elementary - 50 Sioux Falls · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	78.6 Top 25%	72% Math proficiency	149
49	Brandon Elementary - 03 Brandon · Elementary · Grades PK–4	Public	78.6 Top 25%	70% Math proficiency	728
50	Montrose High School - 01 Montrose · High · Grades 9–12	Public	78.6 Top 10%	69.5% Math proficiency	63
51	Avon Middle School - 05 Avon · Middle · Grades 5–8	Public	78.5 Top 25%	64.5% Math proficiency	63
52	Sturgis Elementary - 03 Sturgis · Elementary · Grades K–4	Public	78.5 Top 25%	70% Math proficiency	531
53	Corral Drive Elementary - 21 Rapid City · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	78.4 Top 25%	72% Math proficiency	439
54	Vermillion Middle School - 02 Vermillion · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	78.4 Top 25%	60% Math proficiency	343
55	C C Lee Elementary - 05 Aberdeen · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	78.3 Top 25%	67% Math proficiency	356
56	Harrisburg North Middle School - 08 Sioux Falls · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	78.3 Top 25%	53% Math proficiency	534
57	Sonia Sotomayor Elementary - 65 Sioux Falls · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	78.3 Top 25%	77% Math proficiency	690
58	Deubrook Elementary - 03 Toronto · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	77.7 Top 25%	57% Math proficiency	225
59	Platte - Geddes Jr. High - 03 Platte · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	77.6 Top 25%	52% Math proficiency	94
60	Castlewood Elementary - 02 Castlewood · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	77.3 Top 25%	67% Math proficiency	140
61	Stevens High School - 42 Rapid City · High · Grades 9–12	Public	77.2 Top 10%	61% Math proficiency	1,771
62	Lincoln Elementary - 05 Watertown · Elementary · Grades 1–4	Public	77.0 Top 25%	77% Math proficiency	361
63	Brandon Valley Middle School - 02 Brandon · Middle · Grades 7–8	Public	76.9 Top 25%	63% Math proficiency	759
64	Elk Point-Jefferson High School - 01 Elk Point · High · Grades 9–12	Public	76.9 Top 25%	54.5% Math proficiency	212
65	Tri-Valley Intermediate School - 03 Colton · Middle · Grades 5–8	Public	76.9 Top 25%	57% Math proficiency	296
66	Webster Area Middle School - 02 Webster · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	76.9 Top 25%	57% Math proficiency	108
67	Hanson Middle School - 02 Alexandria · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	76.7 Top 25%	57% Math proficiency	71
68	Liberty Elementary - 02 Harrisburg · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	76.4 Top 25%	64% Math proficiency	559
69	Britton-Hecla Elementary - 02 Britton · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	76.3 Top 25%	57% Math proficiency	166
70	Brandon Valley Intermediate - 07 Brandon · Middle · Grades 5–6	Public	76.2 Top 25%	63% Math proficiency	829
71	Highmore Elementary - 02 Highmore · Elementary · Grades PK–6	Public	76.2 Top 25%	67% Math proficiency	133
72	Dakota Valley High School - 01 North Sioux City · High · Grades 9–12	Public	76.0 Top 25%	52% Math proficiency	431
73	New Underwood Elementary - 02 New Underwood · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	75.8 Top 25%	67% Math proficiency	113
74	Brandon Valley High School - 01 Brandon · High · Grades 9–12	Public	75.7 Top 25%	62% Math proficiency	1,381
75	Gettysburg Elementary - 02 Gettysburg · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	75.7 Top 25%	64.5% Math proficiency	88
76	West Central Hartford Elementary - 05 Hartford · Elementary · Grades K–3	Public	75.7 Top 25%	13.3% Free/reduced-price lunch	368
77	Lennox Intermediate - 09 Lennox · Middle · Grades 5–6	Public	75.6 Top 25%	62% Math proficiency	185
78	Miller Elementary - 02 Miller · Elementary · Grades K–6	Public	75.5 Top 25%	57% Math proficiency	231
79	Holgate Middle School - 02 Aberdeen · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	75.4 Top 25%	62% Math proficiency	497
80	Kadoka Area High School - 01 Kadoka · High · Grades 9–12	Public	75.4 Top 25%	49.5% Math proficiency	71
81	Milbank Middle School - 02 Milbank · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	75.4 Top 25%	54% Math proficiency	222
82	Wall Middle School - 06 Wall · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	75.3 Top 25%	62% Math proficiency	66
83	Vermillion Elementary - 05 Vermillion · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	75.1 Top 25%	35.8% Free/reduced-price lunch	625
84	Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 Dell Rapids · Middle · Grades 5–8	Public	74.7 Top 25%	62% Math proficiency	295
85	Deubrook High School - 01 White · High · Grades 9–12	Public	74.3 Top 25%	49.5% Math proficiency	105
86	Montrose Elementary - 02 Montrose · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	74.3 Top 25%	54.5% Math proficiency	108
87	Tri-Valley Elementary in Crooks - 04 Crooks · Elementary · Grades K–4	Public	74.3 Top 25%	27.8% Free/reduced-price lunch	205
88	Warner High School - 01 Warner · High · Grades 9–12	Public	74.1 Top 25%	49.5% Math proficiency	85
89	Lake Preston Elementary - 02 Lake Preston · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	74.0 Top 25%	64.5% Math proficiency	96
90	Explorer Elementary - 04 Sioux Falls · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	73.9 Top 25%	59% Math proficiency	338
91	Lawrence Elementary - 02 Canton · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	73.7 Top 25%	61% Math proficiency	411
92	Marion Elementary - 02 Marion · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	73.4 Top 25%	54.5% Math proficiency	100
93	Sanborn Central Elementary - 06 Forestburg · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	73.4 Top 25%	54.5% Math proficiency	102
94	Wall Elementary - 02 Wall · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	73.3 Top 25%	64.5% Math proficiency	107
95	Faith High School - 01 Faith · High · Grades 9–12	Public	73.2 Top 25%	49.5% Math proficiency	77
96	Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 Rapid City · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	73.2 Top 25%	64% Math proficiency	478
97	Hill City Elementary - 02 Hill City · Elementary · Grades PK–5	Public	72.9 Top 25%	62% Math proficiency	247
98	Tea Area Venture Elementary - 06 Tea · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	72.8 Top 25%	20.6% Free/reduced-price lunch	379
99	Canton Middle School - 04 Canton · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	72.7 Top 25%	56% Math proficiency	194
100	Parker High School - 01 Parker · High · Grades 9–12	Public	72.7 Top 25%	54.5% Math proficiency	141

Warner Elementary - 02 in Warner leads the 2025 list of traditional public schools in South Dakota with a Success Index (US) of 92.2. Of the 100 schools shown, 100 are public.

Scores are percentiles within school type, so a elementary school and a high school with the same score sit at the same point in their own distributions. Use the rankings to build a shortlist, then visit the schools and ask how they support students at your child's level.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best public school in South Dakota?

Warner Elementary - 02 in Warner ranks first among traditional public schools in South Dakota with a Success Index (US) of 92.2 out of 100 (Enrollment: 145).

How are traditional public schools in South Dakota ranked?

Each school's Success Index (US) combines 4 factors: math proficiency (30%), reading proficiency (30%), community advantage (fewer free/reduced-price lunch) (25%), students per teacher (15%). Each factor is a percentile against schools of the same type across United States. Schools with fewer than 60 students are excluded from rankings.

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.