For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 2,041 students in Lake County, SD (there are , serving 109 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Lake County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Lake County, SD are Chester High School - 01, Chester Elementary -02 and Chester Area Cyber School - 92. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lake County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Lake County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 12% 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 Lake County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Chester High School - 01
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Grades: 9-12
| 103 students
Rank: #22.
Chester Elementary -02
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Grades: PK-5
| 148 students
Rank: #33.
Chester Area Cyber School - 92
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 5th St
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Grades: 9-12
| 101 students
Rank: #44.
Chester Middle School - 03
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Grades: 6-8
| 69 students
Rank: #55.
Madison Elementary - 07
(Math: 47% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
700 Nw 9th St
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7721
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7721
Grades: K-5
| 507 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Graceville Colony - 07
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
23843 - 446a Ave
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-2267
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-2267
Grades: K-8
| 21 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
High Plains - 06
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 5th St
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Grades: 9-12
| 61 students
Rank: #88.
Shannon Colony Elementary - 08
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
43945 235th St.
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 772-4443
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 772-4443
Grades: K-8
| 29 students
Rank: #99.
Madison High School - 01
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
800 Ne 9th St
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7706
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7706
Grades: 9-12
| 397 students
Rank: #1010.
Madison Middle School - 02
(Math: 37% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
830 Ne 9th St
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7717
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7717
Grades: 6-8
| 274 students
Rank: #1111.
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
24243 456th Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Grades: K-8
| 39 students
Rank: n/an/a
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Grades: K-8
| 24 students
Rank: n/an/a
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Grades: PK-5
| 128 students
Rank: n/an/a
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Grades: 9-12
| 77 students
Rank: n/an/a
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Grades: 6-8
| 63 students
Lake County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Grades: K-8
| 22 students
211 Se 4th St
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7703
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7703
Grades: PK-5
| 94 students
23843 446 Ave
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-7721
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-7721
Grades: K-8
| 32 students
520 Nw 3rd St
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7714
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7714
Grades: 3-5
| 212 students
220 W 2nd St
Ramona, SD 57054
(605) 482-8244
Ramona, SD 57054
(605) 482-8244
Grades: PK-6
| 66 students
220 W 2nd St
Ramona, SD 57054
(605) 482-8244
Ramona, SD 57054
(605) 482-8244
Grades: 9-12
| 40 students
220 W 2nd St
Ramona, SD 57054
(605) 482-8244
Ramona, SD 57054
(605) 482-8244
Grades: 7-8
| 16 students
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Grades: PK-5
| 79 students
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Grades: 9-12
| 40 students
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Grades: 6-8
| 48 students
514 N Washington
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7721
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7721
Grades: K-2
| 254 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Lake County, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Lake County, SD include Chester High School - 01, Chester Elementary -02 and Chester Area Cyber School - 92.
How many public schools are located in Lake County?
15 public schools are located in Lake County.
What percentage of students in Lake County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Lake County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lake County?
Lake County public schools minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Lake County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lake County include: Shannon Colony Elementary - 08 vs. Graceville Colony - 07
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