For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 564 students in Aurora County, SD.
The top ranked public schools in Aurora County, SD are Corsica-stickney Elementary - 02, Plankinton Elementary - 02 and Plankinton High School - 01. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Aurora County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Aurora County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Aurora County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Corsica-stickney Elementary - 02
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
506 Main St
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Grades: PK-5
| 136 students
Rank: #22.
Plankinton Elementary - 02
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
404 E Davenport St
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-7743
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-7743
Grades: PK-6
| 152 students
Rank: #33.
Plankinton High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
404 E Davenport St
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-7743
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-7743
Grades: 9-12
| 98 students
Rank: #44.
White Lake High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
410 E 4th St
White Lake, SD 57383
(605) 249-2251
White Lake, SD 57383
(605) 249-2251
Grades: 9-12
| 35 students
Rank: #55.
Aurora Plains Academy High School - 05
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1400 E 10th St
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-5437
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-5437
Grades: 9-12
| 6 students
Rank: #66.
Plankinton Jr. High - 03
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
404 E Davenport St
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-7743
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-7743
Grades: 7-8
| 30 students
Rank: #77.
White Lake Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
410 E 4th St
White Lake, SD 57383
(605) 249-2251
White Lake, SD 57383
(605) 249-2251
Grades: PK-5
| 66 students
Rank: #88.
White Lake Middle School - 03
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
410 E 4th St
White Lake, SD 57383
(605) 249-2251
White Lake, SD 57383
(605) 249-2251
Grades: 6-8
| 23 students
Rank: #99.
Aurora Plains Academy Middle School - 04
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1400 E 10th St
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-5437
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-5437
Grades: 4-8
| 12 students
Rank: n/an/a
Dakota Reach - 06
Special Education School
1400 E 10th St
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-5437
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-5437
Grades: 9-12
| 3 students
Rank: n/an/a
Dakota Reach Middle School - 07
Special Education School
1400 E 10th St
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-5437
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-5437
Grades: 5-8
| 3 students
Aurora County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
506 E Main
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Grades: K-6
| 56 students
506 E Main
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Grades: 9-12
| 25 students
506 E Main
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Grades: 7-8
| 16 students
506 E Main
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Grades: PK
| 7 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Aurora County, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Aurora County, SD include Corsica-stickney Elementary - 02, Plankinton Elementary - 02 and Plankinton High School - 01.
How many public schools are located in Aurora County?
11 public schools are located in Aurora County.
What is the racial composition of students in Aurora County?
Aurora County public schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Recent Articles
The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report
Education and the rate of incarceration have been linked in a recent NAACP report. Learn about the report and the troubling findings.
The Debate Over Mandatory AP Exams: Balancing Academic Rigor and Student Well-being
Some public schools are forcing students in AP courses to take the AP exam. Here's a look at both sides of the debate and the potential benefits in store for both students and high schools.
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
