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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lawrence County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 3,320 students in Lawrence County, SD (there are 2 private schools, serving 301 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Lawrence County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lawrence County, SD are Whitewood Elementary - 04, Creekside Elementary - 07 and Elm Springs Elementary - 13. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lawrence County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Lawrence County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Schools in Lawrence County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
603 Garfield St
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: PK-5 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Creekside Elementary - 07
(Math: 54% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2325 N Ave
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1210
Gr: 3-5 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Elm Springs Elementary - 13
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
21309 Elm Springs Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #44.
Atall Elementary - 17
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
16375 Atall Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #55.
Spearfish High School - 01
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1725 N Main
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1212
Gr: 9-12 | 787 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #66.
Lead-deadwood Career & Technical Education - 10
Vocational School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
22023 Job Corps Ctr
Nemo, SD 57759
(605) 578-2371
Gr: 9-12 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #77.
Spearfish Academy At Canyon Hills Elementary - 09
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Gr: 4-8 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #88.
Spearfish Middle School - 05
(Math: 45% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1600 N Canyon
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1215
Gr: 6-8 | 545 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #99.
Lead-deadwood Middle School - 02
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
234 S Main St
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3898
Gr: 6-8 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1010.
Lead-deadwood High School - 01
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
320 S Main St
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3899
Gr: 9-12 | 211 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1111.
Lead-deadwood Elementary - 03
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
716 Main St
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605) 717-3884
Gr: K-5 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: n/an/a
Black Hills Academy At Canyon Hills - 08
Alternative School
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Gr: 4-8
Rank: n/an/a
Black Hills Academy At Canyon Hills High School - 07
Alternative School
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Mountain View Elementary - 08
400 E Hudson
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1209
Gr: K | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: n/an/a
Spearfish Academy At Canyon Hills High School - 10
Alternative School
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Gr: 9-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: n/an/a
West Elementary - 03
920 W King St
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1205
Gr: 1-2 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 12%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Lawrence County, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Lawrence County, SD include Whitewood Elementary - 04, Creekside Elementary - 07 and Elm Springs Elementary - 13.
How many public schools are located in Lawrence County?
20 public schools are located in Lawrence County.
What percentage of students in Lawrence County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Lawrence County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lawrence County?
Lawrence County public schools minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Lawrence County are often viewed compared to one another?

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