For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 1,208 students in Mccook County, SD (there are 1 private school, serving 46 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Mccook County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%). Mccook County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in South Dakota.
The top-ranked public schools in Mccook County, SD are Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02, Canistota Elementary - 02 and Montrose Elementary - 02. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Mccook County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Mccook County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Mccook County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
510 N Main St
Bridgewater, SD 57319
(605) 729-2541
Bridgewater, SD 57319
(605) 729-2541
Gr: PK-5 | 143 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Canistota Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
431 4th Ave
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Gr: PK-5 | 141 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Montrose Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
309 S Church Ave
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Gr: PK-5 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #44.
Montrose High School - 01
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
309 S Church Ave
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Gr: 9-12 | 63 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #55.
Canistota Middle School - 03
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
431 4th Ave
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Gr: 6-8 | 68 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #66.
Canistota High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
431 4th Ave
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Gr: 9-12 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #77.
Goldenview Colony School - 04
(Math: <50% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
25473 438th Ave
Salem, SD 57058
(605) 425-2264
Salem, SD 57058
(605) 425-2264
Gr: K-8 | 28 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1
Rank: #88.
Mccook Central High School - 01
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 E Essex
Salem, SD 57058
(605) 425-2264
Salem, SD 57058
(605) 425-2264
Gr: 9-12 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #99.
Mccook Central Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
200 E Essex
Salem, SD 57058
(605) 425-2264
Salem, SD 57058
(605) 425-2264
Gr: PK-5 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1010.
Montrose Middle School - 03
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
309 S Church Ave
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Gr: 6-8 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1111.
Orland Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
45050 246th St
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Gr: K-8 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #1212.
Mccook Central Middle School - 03
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
200 E Essex
Salem, SD 57058
(605) 425-2264
Salem, SD 57058
(605) 425-2264
Gr: 6-8 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Mccook County, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Mccook County, SD include Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02, Canistota Elementary - 02 and Montrose Elementary - 02. Mccook County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in South Dakota.
How many public schools are located in Mccook County?
12 public schools are located in Mccook County.
What percentage of students in Mccook County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Mccook County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Mccook County?
Mccook County public schools minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
