For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 416 students in Mellette County, SD.
The top ranked public schools in Mellette County, SD are White River High School - 01, White River Middle School - 04 and Norris Elementary - 08. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Mellette County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Mellette County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 89% 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 Mellette County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
White River High School - 01
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
501 E 3rd St
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3136
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3136
Grades: 9-12
| 118 students
Rank: #22.
White River Middle School - 04
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
501 E 3rd St
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3135
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3135
Grades: 6-8
| 88 students
Rank: #33.
Norris Elementary - 08
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
331 School Loop
White River, SD 57579
(605) 462-6455
White River, SD 57579
(605) 462-6455
Grades: K-5
| 46 students
Rank: #44.
White River Elementary - 02
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
501 E 3rd St
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3137
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3137
Grades: PK-5
| 164 students
Mellette County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
S 2nd And Brock St
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3137
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3137
Grades: K-5
| 3 students
White River Alternative High School - 09 (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
501 East 3rd St
Norris, SD 57560
(605) 259-3135
Norris, SD 57560
(605) 259-3135
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
114 S. Dakota St.
Wood, SD 57585
(605) 452-3251
Wood, SD 57585
(605) 452-3251
Grades: PK-8
| 24 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Mellette County, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Mellette County, SD include White River High School - 01, White River Middle School - 04 and Norris Elementary - 08.
How many public schools are located in Mellette County?
4 public schools are located in Mellette County.
What is the racial composition of students in Mellette County?
Mellette County public schools minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public schools average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.