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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Public High Schools in South Dakota (2026)

The top-ranked public high schools in South Dakota are Howard High School - 01, Ethan High School - 01 and Timber Lake High School - 01. The cities and towns with the highest concentration of top-ranked public high schools are Brandon, Warner and Ethan.
A school's overall testing rank is based on a it's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. The average percentage of students achieving math proficiency in South Dakota is 43%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 51%.

Top-Ranked Public High Schools in South Dakota (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Howard High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
500 N Section Line
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Ethan High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Timber Lake High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Rank: #44.
Hanson High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 10%)
Grades: 9-12
230 6th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Brandon Valley High School - 01
(Math: 65% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 65% (Top 20%)
Reading: 82% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
301 S Splitrock Blvd
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-3211
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Warner High School - 01
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 20%)
Grades: 9-12
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Rank: #77.
Lincoln High School - 02
(Math: 54% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Math: 54% (Top 30%)
Reading: 76% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
2900 S Cliff Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-7990
Rank: #88.
Milbank High School - 01
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 50-54% (Top 30%)
Reading: 70-74% (Top 10%)
Grades: 9-12
1001 E Park Ave
Milbank, SD 57252
(605) 432-5546
Rank: #99.
Lennox High School - 01
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 55-59% (Top 20%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 20%)
Grades: 9-12
1201 S Main St
Lennox, SD 57039
(605) 647-2203
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Colome High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: <50% (Top 30%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 20%)
Grades: 9-12
105 Carr St
Colome, SD 57528
(605) 842-1624
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Rosholt High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: <50% (Top 30%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 20%)
Grades: 9-12
202 Finley Ave
Rosholt, SD 57260
(605) 537-4278
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Elk Point-jefferson High School - 01
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 50-59% (Top 30%)
Reading: 60-69% (Top 20%)
Grades: 9-12
402 S Douglas St
Elk Point, SD 57025
(605) 356-5901
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Parkston High School - 01
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 50-59% (Top 30%)
Reading: 60-69% (Top 20%)
Grades: 9-12
102a S Chapman Dr
Parkston, SD 57366
(605) 928-3368
Rank: #14 - 1814. - 18.
Burke High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 40-59% (Top 50%)
Reading: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
900 Washington St
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2645
Rank: #14 - 1814. - 18.
Irene - Wakonda High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 40-59% (Top 50%)
Reading: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
130 E State St
Irene, SD 57037
(605) 263-3313
Rank: #14 - 1814. - 18.
Kadoka Area High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 40-59% (Top 50%)
Reading: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
800 Bayberry St
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2172
Rank: #14 - 1814. - 18.
Northwestern High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 40-59% (Top 50%)
Reading: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Rank: #14 - 1814. - 18.
Philip High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 40-59% (Top 50%)
Reading: ≥80% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
330 Scottie Ave
Philip, SD 57567
(605) 859-2680
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Chester High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 40-59% (Top 50%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 10%)
Grades: 9-12
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Deubrook High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 40-59% (Top 50%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 10%)
Grades: 9-12
100 School Ave
White, SD 57276
(605) 629-1114
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Frederick High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥50% (Top 50%)
Grades: 9-12
202 E Main St
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Gettysburg High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥50% (Top 50%)
Grades: 9-12
100 E King Ave
Gettysburg, SD 57442
(605) 765-2436
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Arlington High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 40-59% (Top 50%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 20%)
Grades: 9-12
306 S Main St
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5598
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Mount Vernon High School- 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 40-59% (Top 50%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 20%)
Grades: 9-12
500 N Main
Mount Vernon, SD 57363
(605) 236-5237
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Groton Area High School - 01
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 40-49% (Bottom 50%)
Reading: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
502 N 2nd St
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Wagner High School - 01
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 40-49% (Bottom 50%)
Reading: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
101 Walnut Ave Sw
Wagner, SD 57380
(605) 384-5426
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Dakota Valley High School - 01
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 45-49% (Top 50%)
Reading: 70-74% (Top 10%)
Grades: 9-12
1150 Northshore Dr
North Sioux City, SD 57049
(605) 422-3820
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
T F Riggs High School - 01
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 45-49% (Top 50%)
Reading: 70-74% (Top 10%)
Grades: 9-12
1010 E Broadway Ave
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-7350
Rank: #2929.
Tri-valley High School - 01
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 40-49% (Bottom 50%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
46474 252nd St
Colton, SD 57018
(605) 446-3538
Rank: #3030.
Stevens High School - 42
(Math: 46% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 46% (Top 50%)
Reading: 80% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
4215 Raider Rd
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4051
Rank: #3131.
Webster Area High School - 01
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 40-49% (Bottom 50%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 10%)
Grades: 9-12
733 E 2nd St
Webster, SD 57274
(605) 345-3548
Rank: #3232.
Custer High School - 01
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 40-44% (Bottom 50%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
1645 Wildcat Ln
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4473
Rank: #3333.
Belle Fourche High School - 01
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 45-49% (Top 50%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 20%)
Grades: 9-12
1301 12th Ave
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605) 723-3350
Rank: #3434.
Yankton High School - 01
(Math: 44% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 44% (Bottom 50%)
Reading: 74% (Top 10%)
Grades: 9-12
1801 Summit St
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-2073
Rank: #3535.
Dell Rapids High School - 01
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Math: 35-39% (Bottom 50%)
Reading: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1216 N Garfield Ave
Dell Rapids, SD 57022
(605) 428-5473
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