| # | District | City | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Arlington School District 38-1 | Arlington | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #2 | Brandon Valley School District 49-2 | Brandon | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #3 | Bridgewater-Emery School District 30-3 | Bridgewater | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #4 | Burke School District 26-2 | Burke | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #5 | Canistota School District 43-1 | Canistota | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #6 | Canton School District 41-1 | Canton | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #7 | Castlewood School District 28-1 | Castlewood | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #8 | Chester School District 39-1 | Chester | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #9 | Corsica-Stickney School District 21-3 | Corsica | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #10 | Dell Rapids School District 49-3 | Dell Rapids | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #11 | Deubrook School District 05-6 | Astoria | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #12 | Ethan School District 17-1 | Ethan | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #13 | Faulkton School District 24-4 | Faulkton | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #14 | Freeman School District 33-1 | Freeman | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #15 | Groton Area School District 06-6 | Bristol | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #16 | Hamlin School District 28-3 | Bryant | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #17 | Harding County School District 31-1 | Ralph | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #18 | Harrisburg School District 41-2 | Harrisburg | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #19 | Hill City School District 51-2 | Hill City | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #20 | Howard School District 48-3 | Canova | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #21 | Ipswich School District 22-6 | Ipswich | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #22 | Jones County School District 37-3 | Draper | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #23 | Lennox School District 41-4 | Chancellor | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #24 | Leola School District 44-2 | Leola | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #25 | Mobridge-Pollock School District 62-6 | Mound City | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
Best School Districts in South Dakota (2026)
This ranking covers 130 rated public school districts in South Dakota, scored using NCES EDFacts state assessment data for the 2017–18 school year — the most recent district-level federal collection we have processed. Each district's reading and math proficiency rates are averaged, then ranked against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score.
A district's score reflects how its students perform on state assessments relative to same-state peers — it is not a direct measure of teaching quality, school culture, or individual student outcomes. Always visit schools, talk to local families, and contact districts directly before making decisions. Learn how ratings are calculated →
How to Use This List
Click any district name to see its zip code page and confirm your exact assignment with the district office. Boundaries don't always follow city or neighborhood lines — the zip code search gives you the most accurate result.