For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 2,829 students in Hughes County, SD (there are , serving 186 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Hughes County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Hughes County, SD are T F Riggs High School - 01, Buchanan Elementary - 03 and Kennedy Elementary - 08. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Hughes County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Hughes County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Hughes County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
T F Riggs High School - 01
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1010 E Broadway Ave
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7350
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7350
Grades: 9-12
| 808 students
Rank: #22.
Buchanan Elementary - 03
(Math: 56% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 N Buchanan Ave
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7310
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7310
Grades: K-5
| 422 students
Rank: #33.
Kennedy Elementary - 08
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2306 Brookstone Loop
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7370
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7370
Grades: K-5
| 394 students
Rank: #44.
Blunt Elementary - 03
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
202 W Butte St
Blunt, SD 57522
(605) 258-2617
Blunt, SD 57522
(605) 258-2617
Grades: PK-4
| 14 students
Rank: #55.
Jefferson Elementary - 06
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
900 N Poplar Ave
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7320
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7320
Grades: K-5
| 383 students
Rank: #66.
Georgia Morse Middle School - 02
(Math: 46% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
309 E Capitol Ave
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7330
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7330
Grades: 6-8
| 681 students
Rank: n/an/a
3001 East Sully Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 224-8661
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 224-8661
Grades: 1-8
| 127 students
Hughes County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
206 S Nixon
Harrold, SD 57536
(605) 875-3298
Harrold, SD 57536
(605) 875-3298
Grades: K-6
| 28 students
206 S Nixon
Harrold, SD 57536
(605) 875-3298
Harrold, SD 57536
(605) 875-3298
Grades: 9-12
| 10 students
206 S Nixon
Harrold, SD 57536
(605) 875-3298
Harrold, SD 57536
(605) 875-3298
Grades: 7-8
| 11 students
716 E Dakota Ave
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7380
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7380
Grades: K-5
| 136 students
18800 Sd Hwy 1804
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 258-2180
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 258-2180
Grades: K-8
| 5 students
716 E Dakota
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7380
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7380
Grades: K-8
| 7 students
106 S Monroe Ave
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7370
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7370
Grades: K-5
| 264 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Hughes County, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Hughes County, SD include T F Riggs High School - 01, Buchanan Elementary - 03 and Kennedy Elementary - 08.
How many public schools are located in Hughes County?
7 public schools are located in Hughes County.
What percentage of students in Hughes County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Hughes County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Hughes County?
Hughes County public schools minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public schools average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Hughes County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Hughes County include: Kennedy Elementary - 08 vs. Buchanan Elementary - 03, Jefferson Elementary - 06 vs. Buchanan Elementary - 03, Buchanan Elementary - 03 vs. Jefferson Elementary - 06
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