📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2021–22 for most districts), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
All 7 Rated Districts in Minnehaha County, SD
Sorted by rating, then state percentile
| County Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brandon Valley School District 49-2 | Brandon | 10/10 Excellent | 96th |
| #2 | Dell Rapids School District 49-3 | Dell Rapids | 10/10 Excellent | 95th |
| #3 | Baltic School District 49-1 | Baltic | 8/10 Good | 76th |
| #4 | West Central School District 49-7 | Hartford | 6/10 Average | 57th |
| #5 | Tri-Valley School District 49-6 | Colton | 5/10 Average | 43rd |
| #6 | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 | Sioux Falls | 4/10 Below Average | 35th |
| #7 | Garretson School District 49-4 | Garretson | 3/10 Below Average | 25th |
Best School Districts in Minnehaha County, South Dakota (2026)
This page lists the 7 public school districts headquartered in Minnehaha County, South Dakota that have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating, scored using EDFacts 2021–22 state assessment data. The county rank is simply their order here; the state percentile compares each district with every rated district in South Dakota, which is how the 1–10 rating is set. Ratings are not comparable with districts in other states.
Districts are placed in the county of their NCES directory listing. A district's boundaries can cross county lines, and a home in Minnehaha County may be served by a district headquartered next door — search your address or zip code to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in Minnehaha County, South Dakota? ▼
Among the 7 rated districts in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, the highest-rated is Brandon Valley School District 49-2 (Brandon), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 96th percentile of South Dakota districts on EDFacts 2021–22 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (EDFacts 2021–22), percentile-ranked against all rated districts in South Dakota and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.