2022 Best Schools in South Dakota

South Central Elementary School

• Public School•
• BONESTEEL, SD•
• PK, K-5

• grade A+

• 46 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Valley Springs Elementary School

• Brandon Valley School District, SD•
• K-4

• grade A

• 98 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Brandon Elementary School

• Brandon Valley School District, SD•
• PK, K-4
• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade A

• 644 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Big Stone City Middle School

• Big Stone City School District, SD•
• 6-8

• grade A

• 12 Students
• 3:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Brandon Valley Intermediate School

• Brandon Valley School District, SD•
• 5-6

• grade A

• 675 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Fred Assam Elementary School

• Brandon Valley School District, SD•
• K-4
• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: This was the first school I went to and it offers amazing and fun teachers that you don't get in the majority of schools, even for younger kids! Anyone in the Brandon District get top-level education and a step above others who didn't go here...Read 2 Reviews

• grade A

• 538 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Timber Lake Middle School

• Timber Lake School District, SD•
• 6-8

• grade A

• 88 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Brandon Valley Middle School

• Brandon Valley School District, SD•
• 7-8

• grade A

• 693 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Canistota Elementary School

• Canistota School District, SD•
• PK, K-5

• grade A

• 108 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Robert Bennis Elementary School

• Brandon Valley School District, SD•
• K-4
• •
  Rating 2.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Our third child will be starting at RBE this fall and we've been very happy with the teachers and staff thus far. Everyone we've encountered seems to genuinely care about our kids. Our oldest is going into 6th grade and has an IEP for reading/writing she started in 4th grade, but we have had to do private tutoring since first grade to keep her "at grade level" for reading. ...However, it does feel like the Brandon Valley School district as a whole teaches/preps kids how to take standardized tests and doesn't focus on actual writing or spelling and focuses on "speed reading" and less comprehension to take those standardized tests to keep their ranking of #1 School District in the state. But as a whole, RBE has been great for us!...Read 2 Reviews

• grade A

• 558 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Dakota Valley Elementary School

• Dakota Valley School District, SD•
• K-3

• grade A

• 418 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Platte-Geddes Elementary School

• Platte-Geddes School District, SD•
• K-5

• grade A

• 229 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Warner Elementary School

• Warner School District, SD•
• K-5

• grade A

• 157 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Washington High School

• Sioux Falls School District, SD•
• 9-12
• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  319 reviews

Senior: Overall, Washington is an amazing school! The teachers and faculty are wonderful and do an awesome job helping student academically, and personally. They not only provide tutoring for student struggling to maintain good grades, but they also provide school supplies and other personal necessities to students in need. The diversity makes the school unique and really prepares students for the real world, and builds their respect for other cultures, religions, and people with troubling income. Washington also provides around 5 different languages for students to learn (Spanish, German, French, Lakota dialect, and ASL). My school also provides a program within the curriculum that aids students who’s first language is not English. While translating work into their first language, they also learn what the work means in English. Washington is the best public school in Sioux Falls, SD, I absolutely recommend attending...Read 319 Reviews

• grade A

• 1,950 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Dell Rapids Elementary School

• Dell Rapids School District, SD•
• K-4

• grade A

• 408 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Gettysburg Junior High School

• Gettysburg School District, SD•
• 6-8

• grade A

• 51 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Freeman Academy

• Private School•
• FREEMAN, SD•
• K-12
• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  24 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 24 Reviews

• grade A

• 75 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Warner Middle School

• Warner School District, SD•
• 6-8

• grade A

• 69 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sonia Sotomayor Spanish Immersion Elementary School

• Sioux Falls School District, SD•
• PK, K-5

• grade A

• 700 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Vermillion Middle School

• Vermillion School District, SD•
• 6-8

• grade A

• 310 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Challenge Center School

• Sioux Falls School District, SD•
• 2-5

• grade A

• 178 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Arlington Elementary School

• Arlington School District, SD•
• K-6

• grade A

• 132 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Blunt Elementary School

• Agar-Blunt-Onida School District, SD•
• K-5

• grade A

• 36 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Brandon Valley High School

• Brandon Valley School District, SD•
• 9-12
• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  224 reviews

Alum: Brandon Valley High School prepared me for college by giving me freedom and independence. I enjoyed the classes I took and teachers were always willing to lend a hand. Implemented into my sophomore year, for forty-five minutes after school, teachers stayed in classrooms to allow time for students who needed it. This was especially helpful to those who rode the bus or didn't have time in the morning to communicate with teachers. At the time of my involvement, I didn't consider Brandon Valley to have amazing food; however, after experiencing what other schools offered, I am grateful for the nutrients this district provided. There were plenty of whole grains and the vegetables were always cooked thoroughly. Overall, I loved the atmosphere this school had to offer. It really felt like a whole community...Read 224 Reviews

• grade A

• 1,217 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Frederick Junior High School

• Frederick Area School District, SD•
• 7-8

• grade A minus

• 34 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio