The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a county which have placed in the top 10% of all schools statewide.
A school's overall rank is based on its combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Schools are ranked and compared within their own state only.
Statewide Range: 20%
50%
Avg. Statewide: 31%
Top Ranked Counties With Best Public Schools in South Dakota (2025)
County
% of Schools in
Top 10% Statewide
Top 10% Statewide
Top Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #11.
50%
(3 out of 6)
(3 out of 6)
- Big Stone City Elementary - 01
Rank: #33 of 636 (Top 10%)
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%) - Big Stone City Middle School - 03
Rank: #33 of 636 (Top 10%)
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%) - Milbank Elementary - 03
Rank: #46 of 636 (Top 10%)
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%) - View Full List of Top Ranked Grant County, SD Schools
Rank: #22.
38%
(3 out of 8)
(3 out of 8)
- Hanson Elementary - 06
Rank: #15 of 636 (Top 5%)
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%) - Hanson Middle School - 02
Rank: #46 of 636 (Top 10%)
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%) - Hanson High School - 01
Rank: #54 of 636 (Top 10%)
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%) - View Full List of Top Ranked Hanson County, SD Schools
Rank: #33.
33%
(7 out of 21)
(7 out of 21)
Rank: #4-54 - 5.
25%
(4 out of 16)
(4 out of 16)
- Lake Preston Elementary - 02
Rank: #2 of 636 (Top 1%)
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 80-89%) - Arlington Elementary - 02
Rank: #9 of 636 (Top 5%)
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%) - Arlington Jr. High - 03
Rank: #13 of 636 (Top 5%)
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%) - View Full List of Top Ranked Kingsbury County, SD Schools
Rank: #4-54 - 5.
25%
(3 out of 12)
(3 out of 12)
- Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02
Rank: #26 of 636 (Top 5%)
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%) - Montrose Elementary - 02
Rank: #30 of 636 (Top 5%)
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%) - Canistota Elementary - 02
Rank: #49 of 636 (Top 10%)
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%) - View Full List of Top Ranked Mccook County, SD Schools
Rank: #66.
20%
(3 out of 15)
(3 out of 15)
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