For the 2025-26 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 3,114 students in Union County, SD.
The top ranked public schools in Union County, SD are Dakota Valley Elementary - 02, Elk Point-jefferson High School - 01 and Dakota Valley High School - 01. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Union County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Union County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 18% 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 Union County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dakota Valley Elementary - 02
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
80 Northshore Dr
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3840
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3840
Gr: K-3 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #22.
Elk Point-jefferson High School - 01
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
402 S Douglas St
Elk Point, SD 57025
(605) 356-5901
Elk Point, SD 57025
(605) 356-5901
Gr: 9-12 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Dakota Valley High School - 01
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1150 Northshore Dr
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3820
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3820
Gr: 9-12 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #44.
Dakota Valley Middle School - 03
(Math: 47% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1150 Northshore Dr
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3830
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3830
Gr: 6-8 | 341 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #55.
Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04
(Math: 48% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1150 Northshore Dr
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3830
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3830
Gr: 4-5 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #66.
Beresford Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
209 S 4th St
Beresford, SD 57004
(605) 763-5012
Beresford, SD 57004
(605) 763-5012
Gr: K-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #77.
Elk Point-jefferson Middle School - 03
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
402 S Douglas St
Elk Point, SD 57025
(605) 356-5901
Elk Point, SD 57025
(605) 356-5901
Gr: 6-8 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #88.
Alcester-hudson Elementary - 04
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
409 E 6th St
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-2171
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-2171
Gr: K-6 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #99.
Elk Point-jefferson Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
500 S Franklin St
Elk Point, SD 57025
(605) 356-5801
Elk Point, SD 57025
(605) 356-5801
Gr: K-5 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1010.
Alcester-hudson High School - 01
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
409 E 6th St
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-1890
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-1890
Gr: 9-12 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1111.
Beresford High School - 01
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
301 W Maple St
Beresford, SD 57004
(605) 763-2145
Beresford, SD 57004
(605) 763-2145
Gr: 9-12 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1212.
Beresford Middle School - 03
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
205 W Maple St
Beresford, SD 57004
(605) 763-2139
Beresford, SD 57004
(605) 763-2139
Gr: 6-8 | 160 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1313.
Alcester-hudson Jr. High - 03
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
409 E 6th St
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-1890
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-1890
Gr: 7-8 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: n/an/a
409 E 6th St
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-2171
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-2171
Gr: PK | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 36:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Union County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Aspire High School - 02 (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1109 West Cedar
Beresford, SD 57004
(605) 763-8011
Beresford, SD 57004
(605) 763-8011
Gr: 9-12
Po Box 578
Elk Point, SD 57025
(605) 356-5901
Elk Point, SD 57025
(605) 356-5901
Gr: 9-12 | 226 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Po Box 232
Beresford, SD 57004
(605) 957-4151
Beresford, SD 57004
(605) 957-4151
Gr: 4-5 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Woodfield Center (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
205 W Maple
Beresford, SD 57004
(605) 763-2139
Beresford, SD 57004
(605) 763-2139
Gr: 5-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Union County, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Union County, SD include Dakota Valley Elementary - 02, Elk Point-jefferson High School - 01 and Dakota Valley High School - 01.
How many public schools are located in Union County?
14 public schools are located in Union County.
What is the racial composition of students in Union County?
Union County public schools minority enrollment is 18% 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 Union County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Union County include: Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04 vs. Dakota Valley Elementary - 02, Alcester-hudson High School - 01 vs. Beresford High School - 01, Elk Point-jefferson Elementary - 02 vs. Dakota Valley Elementary - 02
Recent Articles
Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Latest data and policy changes on Texas public school enrollment growth, funding, and virtual education in 2025.
Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in Public Schools
Learn about financial aid and hidden costs in public schools. Discover what parents should budget for beyond tuition-free education.
NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
Despite reforms, New York City schools remain the most segregated in the U.S. in 2025. Here鈥檚 what parents and educators need to know.
