Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Improved Public Preschools in South Dakota (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Improved Public Preschools in South Dakota (2026)

The most improved public preschools in South Dakota are Timber Lake Elementary - 02, Waubay Elementary - 02 and Kadoka Elementary - 02.
A school's improvement is based on a its total rise in ranking spots during the last five years (2021-26).
Improved Rank Range: 8 383 Avg. Improved Rank: 124

Most Improved Public Preschools in South Dakota (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Ranking Change (2021-26)
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Timber Lake Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Rank Change: +383
(from 434 to 51)
Grades: PK-5
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Rank: #22.
Waubay Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Rank Change: +382
(from 438 to 56)
Grades: PK-6
202 W School Rd
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Rank: #33.
Kadoka Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +364
(from 469 to 105)
Grades: PK-5
800 Bayberry St
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2173
Rank: #44.
Hanson Elementary - 06
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Rank Change: +288
(from 303 to 15)
Grades: PK-5
230 6th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Rank: #55.
Montrose Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Rank Change: +264
(from 313 to 49)
Grades: PK-5
309 S Church Ave
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Rank: #66.
Rosette Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: PK-8
12465 359th Ave
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6832
Rank: #77.
South Central Elementary - 03
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +232
(from 405 to 173)
Grades: PK-5
401 Birdsell St
Bonesteel, SD 57317
(605) 654-2314
Rank: #88.
Mount Vernon Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +208
(from 313 to 105)
Grades: PK-5
500 N Main
Mount Vernon, SD 57363
(605) 236-5237
Rank: #99.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Rank Change: +206
(from 214 to 8)
Grades: PK-5
603 Garfield St
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Rank: #1010.
New Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 08
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +181
(from 589 to 408)
Grades: PK-8
41844 269th St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 928-3040
Rank: #1111.
Big Stone City Elementary - 01
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Rank Change: +169
(from 191 to 22)
Grades: PK-5
655 Walnut St
Big Stone City, SD 57216
(605) 862-8108
Rank: #1212.
Pembrook Colony Elementary - 06
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +159
(from 280 to 121)
Grades: PK-8
35955 139th St
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6832
Rank: #1313.
Northwestern Elementary - 04
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +150
(from 405 to 255)
Grades: PK-5
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Rank: #1414.
Eureka Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Rank Change: +148
(from 204 to 56)
Grades: PK-6
805 10th St
Eureka, SD 57437
(605) 284-2875
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Burke Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +86
(from 191 to 105)
Grades: PK-5
933 Lincoln St
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2246
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Baltic Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +86
(from 224 to 138)
Grades: PK-5
1 Bulldog Ave
Baltic, SD 57003
(605) 529-5464
Rank: #1717.
Custer Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +72
(from 214 to 142)
Grades: PK-6
1415 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4483
Rank: #1818.
Faulkton Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Rank Change: +65
(from 73 to 8)
Grades: PK-5
1114 Court St
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Rank: #1919.
Highmore Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +64
(from 426 to 362)
Grades: PK-6
415 Iowa Ave S
Highmore, SD 57345
(605) 852-2276
Rank: #2020.
Willow Lake Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +63
(from 460 to 397)
Grades: PK-5
400 Garfield Ave
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Rank: #2121.
Plankinton Elementary - 02
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +60
(from 128 to 68)
Grades: PK-5
404 E Davenport St
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-7743
Rank: #2222.
Centerville Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Rank Change: +55
(from 90 to 35)
Grades: PK-5
610 Lincoln St
Centerville, SD 57014
(605) 563-2291
Rank: #2323.
Lake Preston Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Rank Change: +52
(from 57 to 5)
Grades: PK-5
300 1st St Ne
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Rank: #2424.
Leola Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Rank Change: +45
(from 57 to 12)
Grades: PK-5
820 Leola Ave
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Rank: #2525.
Howard Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +43
(from 115 to 72)
Grades: PK-5
201 N Minnie St
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-4443
Rank: #2626.
Mckinley Early Childhood Center - 06
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +42
(from 138 to 96)
Grades: PK-K
5 12th St Sw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Ethan Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Rank Change: +41
(from 57 to 16)
Grades: PK-6
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Kimball Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +41
(from 115 to 74)
Grades: PK-4
300 S East St
Kimball, SD 57355
(605) 778-6231
Rank: #2929.
White River Elementary - 02
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +33
(from 625 to 592)
Grades: PK-5
501 E 3rd St
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3137
Rank: #3030.
Canistota Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Rank Change: +31
(from 73 to 42)
Grades: PK-5
431 4th Ave
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Rank: #3131.
Lennox Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Rank Change: +28
(from 44 to 16)
Grades: PK-4
305 W 5th Ave
Lennox, SD 57039
(605) 647-2203
Rank: #3232.
Chester Elementary -02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +24
(from 328 to 304)
Grades: PK-5
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Rank: #3333.
Hamlin Elementary - 09
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +13
(from 115 to 102)
Grades: PK-5
44577 188th St
Hayti, SD 57241
(605) 783-3631
Rank: #3434.
Menno Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +9
(from 90 to 81)
Grades: PK-5
410 S 5th St
Menno, SD 57045
(605) 387-5161
Rank: #3535.
Newell Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +8
(from 469 to 461)
Grades: PK-5
501 Dartmouth Ave
Newell, SD 57760
(605) 456-0102
Show 92 more public schools in SD (out of 127 total schools)
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