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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Codington County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public preschools serving 1,538 students in Codington County, SD.
The top-ranked public preschools in Codington County, SD are Mckinley Early Childhood Center - 06, Florence Elementary - 02 and Waverly-south Shore Elementary - 02. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Codington County, SD public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 61% (versus the South Dakota public pre school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Codington County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of South Dakota public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public preschool average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Codington County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mckinley Early Childhood Center - 06
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5 12th St Sw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Gr: PK-K | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Florence Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
515 Main Ave
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Gr: PK-5 | 179 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #33.
Waverly-south Shore Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
319 Mary Pl
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Gr: PK-5 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Henry Elementary - 02
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
111 N Cedar
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Gr: PK-5 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Codington County, SD?
The top-ranked public preschools in Codington County, SD include Mckinley Early Childhood Center - 06, Florence Elementary - 02 and Waverly-south Shore Elementary - 02.
How many public preschools are located in Codington County?
7 public preschools are located in Codington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Codington County?
Codington County public preschools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public preschools average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).

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