Public elementary schools in South Dakota achieve an average reading/language arts proficiency of 49% (2025-26).
The public elementary schools with the highest reading/language arts proficiency are listed below (where sufficient data available).
The public elementary school with the highest reading/language arts proficiency in South Dakota is Challenge Center - 51 with ≥95%.
RLA Proficiency Range: 69.5%
95%
Avg. RLA Proficiency: 75%
Top Reading/Language Arts Proficiency Public Elementary Schools in South Dakota (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
RLA Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Challenge Center - 51
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥95%
Grades: 2-5
3101 S 4th Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-6170
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-6170
Rank: #22.
Warner Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
RLA Proficiency: 85-89%
Grades: K-5
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Rank: #33.
Adventure Elementary - 10
(Math: 86% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
RLA Proficiency: 85%
Grades: K-5
27220 472nd Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
(605) 432-2567
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
(605) 432-2567
Rank: #44.
Lake Preston Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
RLA Proficiency: 80-89%
Grades: PK-5
300 1st St Ne
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Rank: #55.
Fred Assam Elementary - 06
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
RLA Proficiency: 80-84%
Grades: K-4
7700 E Willowwood St
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-1500
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-1500
Rank: #66.
Leola Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: ≥80%
Grades: PK-5
820 Leola Ave
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Arlington Elementary - 02
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 75-79%
Grades: K-6
306 S Main St
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5741
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5741
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Inspiration Elementary - 08
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 75-79%
Grades: K-4
3401 S Sparta Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-5890
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-5890
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Warner Middle School - 03
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 75-79%
Grades: 6-8
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Rank: #10 - 1410. - 14.
Faulkton Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-79%
Grades: PK-5
1114 Court St
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Rank: #10 - 1410. - 14.
Montrose Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-79%
Grades: PK-5
309 S Church Ave
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Rank: #10 - 1410. - 14.
Onida Elementary - 04
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-79%
Grades: K-5
500 8th St
Onida, SD 57564
(605) 258-2617
Onida, SD 57564
(605) 258-2617
Rank: #10 - 1410. - 14.
Sanborn Central Middle School - 02
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-79%
Grades: 6-8
40405 Sd Hwy 34
Artesian, SD 57314
(605) 495-4183
Artesian, SD 57314
(605) 495-4183
Rank: #10 - 1410. - 14.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-79%
Grades: PK-5
603 Garfield St
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Rank: #1515.
Sonia Sotomayor Elementary - 65
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
RLA Proficiency: 74%
Grades: PK-5
1510 S Lake Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-4655
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-4655
Rank: #16 - 2616. - 26.
All City Elementary - 50
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-74%
Grades: K-5
2511 W Brookings St
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-6120
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-6120
Rank: #16 - 2616. - 26.
Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-74%
Grades: PK-5
510 N Main St
Bridgewater, SD 57319
(605) 729-2541
Bridgewater, SD 57319
(605) 729-2541
Rank: #16 - 2616. - 26.
C C Lee Elementary - 05
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-74%
Grades: K-5
1900 N State St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7500
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7500
Rank: #16 - 2616. - 26.
Ethan Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-74%
Grades: PK-6
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Rank: #16 - 2616. - 26.
Groton Area Middle School - 04
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-74%
Grades: 6-8
502 N 2nd St
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Rank: #16 - 2616. - 26.
Hanson Elementary - 06
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-74%
Grades: PK-5
230 6th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Rank: #16 - 2616. - 26.
Hanson Middle School - 02
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-74%
Grades: 6-8
230 6th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Rank: #16 - 2616. - 26.
Lennox Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-74%
Grades: PK-4
305 W 5th Ave
Lennox, SD 57039
(605) 647-2203
Lennox, SD 57039
(605) 647-2203
Rank: #16 - 2616. - 26.
Lennox Intermediate - 09
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-74%
Grades: 5-6
208 W 5th Ave
Lennox, SD 57039
(605) 647-2203
Lennox, SD 57039
(605) 647-2203
Rank: #16 - 2616. - 26.
Lincoln Elementary - 05
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-74%
Grades: PK-4
1100 13th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Rank: #16 - 2616. - 26.
Milbank Elementary - 03
(Math: 56% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
RLA Proficiency: 70-74%
Grades: PK-5
507 S 9th St
Milbank, SD 57252
(605) 432-6615
Milbank, SD 57252
(605) 432-6615
Rank: #2727.
Robert Bennis Elementary - 05
(Math: 72% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 71%
Grades: K-4
2001 S Sioux Blvd
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-8010
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-8010
Rank: #2828.
Southwest Middle School - 38
(Math: 59% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
RLA Proficiency: 70%
Grades: 6-8
4501 Park Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6792
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6792
Rank: #29 - 3729. - 37.
Big Stone City Elementary - 01
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 60-79%
Grades: PK-5
655 Walnut St
Big Stone City, SD 57216
(605) 862-8108
Big Stone City, SD 57216
(605) 862-8108
Rank: #29 - 3729. - 37.
Big Stone City Middle School - 03
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 60-79%
Grades: 6-8
655 Walnut St
Big Stone City, SD 57216
(605) 862-8108
Big Stone City, SD 57216
(605) 862-8108
Rank: #29 - 3729. - 37.
Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
RLA Proficiency: 60-79%
Grades: K-8
36926 266th St
Platte, SD 57369
(605) 337-2468
Platte, SD 57369
(605) 337-2468
Rank: #29 - 3729. - 37.
Frederick Area Middle School - 03
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
RLA Proficiency: 60-79%
Grades: 6-8
202 E Main St
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Rank: #29 - 3729. - 37.
Glendale Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
RLA Proficiency: 60-79%
Grades: K-8
17866 Glendale Dr
Tulare, SD 57476
(605) 266-2151
Tulare, SD 57476
(605) 266-2151
Rank: #29 - 3729. - 37.
Herreid Middle School - 03
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
RLA Proficiency: 60-79%
Grades: 6-8
302 Main St N
Herreid, SD 57632
(605) 437-2263
Herreid, SD 57632
(605) 437-2263
Rank: #29 - 3729. - 37.
Lakeview Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
RLA Proficiency: 60-79%
Grades: K-8
28748 386th Ave
Lake Andes, SD 57356
(605) 487-7655
Lake Andes, SD 57356
(605) 487-7655
Show 100 more public schools in SD (out of 428 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the South Dakota average public elementary schools reading/language arts proficiency?
The South Dakota average public elementary schools reading/language arts proficiency is 49%% for 2025-26.
What are the public elementary schools with the highest reading/language arts proficiency in South Dakota?
The best top ranked public elementary schools in South Dakota include Challenge Center - 51, Warner Elementary - 02 and Adventure Elementary - 10.
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