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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Meade County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 3,486 students in Meade County, SD.
The top-ranked public schools in Meade County, SD are Sturgis Elementary - 03, Faith Elementary - 02 and Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Meade County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Meade County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Schools in Meade County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sturgis Elementary - 03
(Math: 69% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1121 Ballpark Rd
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-2386
Gr: K-4 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Faith Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
206 W 5th St
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Gr: PK-6 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05
(Math: 64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
16159 2nd St
Piedmont, SD 57769
(605) 787-5295
Gr: K-4 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #44.
Opal Elementary - 15
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
18010 Opal Rd
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #55.
Maurine Elementary - 04
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
17291 Us Hwy 212
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Gr: K-8 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #66.
Hereford Elementary - 08
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
15998 Cross S Rd
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #77.
Faith High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
206 W 5th St
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Gr: 9-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #88.
Sturgis Brown High School - 01
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
12930 E Hwy 34
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-2686
Gr: 9-12 | 845 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #99.
Developmental Disabilities Program - 01
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2885 Dickson Dr
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 423-4444
Gr: PK-12
Rank: #1010.
Sturgis Williams Middle School - 02
(Math: 41% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1425 Cedar St
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-5232
Gr: 5-8 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1111.
Stagebarn Middle School - 10
(Math: 44% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
12500 Sturgis Rd
Piedmont, SD 57769
(605) 787-4172
Gr: 5-8 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1212.
Central Meade County School - 09
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
19625 Ball Field Road
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1313.
Faith Jr. High - 06
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
206 W 5th St
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Gr: 7-8 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1414.
Black Hawk Elementary - 03
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
7108 Seeaire St
Black Hawk, SD 57718
(605) 787-6701
Gr: K-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: n/an/a
Takini School
Hwy 34 East Cherry Creek Rd
Howes, SD 57748
(605) 538-4399
Gr: K-12 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Meade County, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Meade County, SD include Sturgis Elementary - 03, Faith Elementary - 02 and Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05.
How many public schools are located in Meade County?
11 public schools are located in Meade County.
What is the racial composition of students in Meade County?
Meade County public schools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Meade County are often viewed compared to one another?

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