2023 Best Private High Schools in South Dakota

• Freeman, SD•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.52 out of 5  25 reviews

Alum: I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Freeman Academy community. Teachers really do care immensely about students. They'll get to know you personally, and as long as you put in enough effort, they'll do everything they can to ensure that you succeed. The in-class conversations are always something to look forward to as well. I suppose that my main complaint is the lack of freedom in class selection. You either enroll in a class or take study hall in a period; there isn't much flexibility. Still, the classes you do take are excellent. I have improved my writing skills far beyond what I once thought possible, and I've found lifelong interests both inside and outside the classroom. Had I not attended Freeman Academy, I might never have become interested in running, music, and mathematics. (Those are my three favorite things in life!) If you're on the fence, here's my advice: Take the plunge and go to Freeman Academy!... Read 25 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 75

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Sioux Falls, SD•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  146 reviews

Senior: I liked the academic atmosphere at O'Gorman! However, some unnecessary rules were put in place. For example, students are required to attend Mass every Sunday, and you must not talk during the Masses with friends. The school is really fun but a bit odd with rules.... Read 146 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 784

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Rapid City, SD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  32 reviews

Senior: I really enjoy the sense of community that the school provides. There is a lot of support when it comes to things like extracurricular activities and test preparation. However, something that I would have really liked to have been different is the guidance when it comes time to make decisions concerning college. I did not feel that the school did a good job to help students understand the necessary steps that need to be taken to get into big-name schools. Also, for someone wanting to go into science, I would highly suggest not coming here because the science department is greatly lacking.... Read 32 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 809

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Sioux Falls, SD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  112 reviews

Parent: Sioux Falls Christian has been and continues to be an excellent school for our children. It has been a commitment financially for us to choose this and it has been worth every penny. The staff and admin truly care about students, their families, the culture and it's academics. This school really nails so many of the key important aspects of what a great school should provide. Raising children is hard and it does take a village. I'm so glad that this school and the people in it are my village. I've never experienced a school that is perfect and SFC isn't either but what I love is that they continually strive to provide a Christ-centered education and fulfill their mission to "Love, Grow, and Go Glorify" while offering a high standard of academic excellence. Our now college-age child was very well prepared for academics and the world. Part of this is being connected as a parent and having healthy conversations alongside what SFC taught her. We are so thankful for this partnership!... Read 112 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,232

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Aberdeen, SD•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  45 reviews

Senior: Roncalli is a great school for young kids! It has a friendly family-like atmosphere and the small student body makes it easier for one-on-one conversations with teachers and for everyone to get to know each other. The staff is very supportive and caring for all their students. There is a wide variety of activities ranging from band, drama, robotics, tennis, dance, and so much more. Roncalli is a great school!... Read 45 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 215

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Rapid City, SD•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  21 reviews

Parent: We couldn't be more grateful for RCCS. It's an excellent school not only academically, but also in the depth of character and rich community that it builds. The integrity of the administration and teachers, their care for the students, and their commitment to Christian education is amazing.... Read 21 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 178

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Mitchell, SD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  12 reviews

Senior: I like going to Mitchell Christian School because all of the teachers are very personal and care about the students well being. Each teacher at Mitchell Christian School takes the time to check on individual students to make sure that they are doing alright or making sure they are not struggling with their homework. These personal relationships with students are not only limited to the teachers but the staff members do this as well. The administrators of the school do a great job of engaging with students and making sure the environment at school is safe.... Read 12 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 163

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Miller, SD•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  11 reviews

Senior: Sunshine Bible Academy is a wonderful school with caring staff who invest in the lives of students. This is a great place to meet life-long friends. The academics are not only top notch, but they are also foundational with a Biblical worldview. Sunshine Bible Academy offers a wide variety of sports and extra-curricular activities. It also has an excellent fine arts program. The industrial arts program is superb! I have had the opportunity to be involved in many of the electives and the activities that Sunshine has to offer. I highly recommend Sunshine Bible Academy.... Read 11 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 93

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Aberdeen, SD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  6 reviews

Junior: The teachers are very supportive and always willing to sit down with you and review assignments or questions. Everyone can freely talk about their faith and every class is based on the Bible. Faculty are involved and care about each and every student. There are some people who only come to this school in order to play sports and be part of a good team, which can be frustrating. Our extra classes that are offered are very basic, yet we are allowed to take offered extras through online and public schools. I enjoy the small atmosphere as everyone knows everyone. As a junior, it always brings a smile to my face seeing the elementary students at recess or seeing the kindergarteners skipping down the hall. Overall, I'm proud to go to a school where Jesus is our number one priority.... Read 6 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 143

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Watertown, SD•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  49 reviews

Senior: Great Plains Lutheran High School is a small school with a dormitory for students from other states and countries. An auxiliary gym and auditorium have been recently built. GPL's 25th anniversary was celebrated in the summer of 2022. It is a private boarding school that is a part of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod(WELS). The curriculum is Christ-centered, and keeps with the teachings of the WELS.... Read 49 reviews

• grade B

• Students 128

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Pine Ridge, SD•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  39 reviews

Senior: It's great but could use better electives and better lunch choices. Diversity is great! Only the average sports are available, they could use a rodeo club.... Read 39 reviews

• grade B

• Students 568

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Dell Rapids, SD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Senior: My experience at Dell Rapids St. Marys has been interesting to say the least. I transferred from a different school going into second grade, and was instantly welcomed by the students and teachers. The low enrollment has allowed me to build relationships with just about everyone in the school. I have appreciated every moment that I have experienced here, and consider myself very lucky for being able to surround myself with such amazing people. While I know many people consider high school to be dreadful, I would be willing to do it all again in a heartbeat. However, my growth through St. Marys has prepared for the next journey in my life - which I plan on being a college or university of some type.... Read 3 reviews

• grade B

• Students 213

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Corsica, SD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  26 reviews

Senior: Dakota Christian School offered me an education I believe I could not have received at any other school. The class sizes were small, so I was able to receive the one-on-one time I needed with teachers. The school also did an amazing job on adding a Christian viewpoint into each subject I was taught. The school pushed me in every area of my life. They pushed me in academic, music, service, and many other areas. I truly believe that this school cares about each individual student. Overall, it was a great experience.... Read 26 reviews

• grade B

• Students 99

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Huron, SD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  18 reviews

Parent: Excellent school with a top notch facility. Full range of sports and clubs, including National Honor Society. Teachers are state accredited, many with advanced degrees. Loving environment with college prep academics.... Read 18 reviews

• grade B

• Students 231

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Sioux Falls, SD•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• grade B

• Students 39

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Sioux Falls, SD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 442

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Spearfish, SD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-11

• grade unavailable

• Students 69

• Student-teacher ratio 69:1

• Mitchell, SD•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 39

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Stratford, SD•

• Private School•

• K-11

• grade unavailable

• Students 26

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Sioux Fals, SD•

• Private School•

• PK, 5-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 21

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1