The most improved public preschools in South Dakota are Waubay Elementary - 02, Marion Elementary - 02 and Menno Elementary - 02.
A school's improvement is based on a its total rise in ranking spots during the last five years (2020-25).
Improved Rank Range: 29
372
Avg. Improved Rank: 113
Most Improved Public Preschools in South Dakota (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Ranking Change (2020-25)
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Waubay Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +372
(from 440 to 68)
(from 440 to 68)
Grades: PK-6
202 W School Rd
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Rank: #22.
Marion Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +340
(from 476 to 136)
(from 476 to 136)
Grades: PK-5
100 S Cedar St
Marion, SD 57043
(605) 648-3615
Marion, SD 57043
(605) 648-3615
Rank: #33.
Menno Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +304
(from 440 to 136)
(from 440 to 136)
Grades: PK-5
410 S 5th St
Menno, SD 57045
(605) 387-5161
Menno, SD 57045
(605) 387-5161
Rank: #44.
Mckinley Elementary - 06
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +276
(from 434 to 158)
(from 434 to 158)
Grades: PK-4
5 12th St Sw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Rank: #55.
Clark Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +208
(from 344 to 136)
(from 344 to 136)
Grades: PK-5
200 2nd Ave Nw
Clark, SD 57225
(605) 532-3606
Clark, SD 57225
(605) 532-3606
Rank: #66.
Clear Lake Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +191
(from 358 to 167)
(from 358 to 167)
Grades: PK-5
410 5th St W
Clear Lake, SD 57226
(605) 874-2162
Clear Lake, SD 57226
(605) 874-2162
Rank: #77.
Langford Area Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +167
(from 509 to 342)
(from 509 to 342)
Grades: PK-5
206 Chestnut St
Langford, SD 57454
(605) 493-6454
Langford, SD 57454
(605) 493-6454
Rank: #88.
Colman Elementary - 03
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +166
(from 333 to 167)
(from 333 to 167)
Grades: PK-6
200 S Loban Ave
Colman, SD 57017
(605) 534-3534
Colman, SD 57017
(605) 534-3534
Rank: #99.
Castlewood Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +151
(from 282 to 131)
(from 282 to 131)
Grades: PK-5
310 E Harry St
Castlewood, SD 57223
(605) 793-2497
Castlewood, SD 57223
(605) 793-2497
Rank: #1010.
Chester Elementary -02
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +148
(from 261 to 113)
(from 261 to 113)
Grades: PK-5
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Rank: #1111.
Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +133
(from 483 to 350)
(from 483 to 350)
Grades: PK-6
202 Nebraska St
Wakonda, SD 57073
(605) 267-2644
Wakonda, SD 57073
(605) 267-2644
Rank: #1212.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +117
(from 261 to 144)
(from 261 to 144)
Grades: PK-5
407 Ingalls Ave Sw
De Smet, SD 57231
(605) 854-3963
De Smet, SD 57231
(605) 854-3963
Rank: #1313.
Waverly-south Shore Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +113
(from 542 to 429)
(from 542 to 429)
Grades: PK-5
319 Mary Pl
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Rank: #1414.
Milbank Elementary - 03
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Rank Change: +104
(from 150 to 46)
(from 150 to 46)
Grades: PK-5
507 S 9th St
Milbank, SD 57252
(605) 432-6615
Milbank, SD 57252
(605) 432-6615
Rank: #1515.
Hitchcock-tulare Elementary - 05
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +90
(from 158 to 68)
(from 158 to 68)
Grades: PK-6
235 Palm St
Hitchcock, SD 57348
(605) 266-2151
Hitchcock, SD 57348
(605) 266-2151
Rank: #1616.
Lincoln Elementary - 08
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +88
(from 451 to 363)
(from 451 to 363)
Grades: PK-5
414 S 10th St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7200
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7200
Rank: #1717.
Hanson Elementary - 06
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +85
(from 100 to 15)
(from 100 to 15)
Grades: PK-5
230 6th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Rank: #1818.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +80
(from 87 to 7)
(from 87 to 7)
Grades: PK-5
603 Garfield St
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Rank: #1919.
Lake Preston Elementary - 02
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Rank Change: +66
(from 68 to 2)
(from 68 to 2)
Grades: PK-5
300 1st St Ne
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Rank: #2020.
Newell Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +64
(from 542 to 478)
(from 542 to 478)
Grades: PK-5
501 Dartmouth Ave
Newell, SD 57760
(605) 456-0102
Newell, SD 57760
(605) 456-0102
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Centerville Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Rank Change: +59
(from 104 to 45)
(from 104 to 45)
Grades: PK-5
610 Lincoln St
Centerville, SD 57014
(605) 563-2291
Centerville, SD 57014
(605) 563-2291
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Scotland Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +59
(from 528 to 469)
(from 528 to 469)
Grades: PK-4
711 4th St
Scotland, SD 57059
(605) 583-2717
Scotland, SD 57059
(605) 583-2717
Rank: #2323.
Discovery Elementary - 26
(Math: 61% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +58
(from 169 to 111)
(from 169 to 111)
Grades: PK-5
1506 S Discovery Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
(605) 362-3530
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
(605) 362-3530
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Bridgewater-emery Elementary - 02
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +57
(from 83 to 26)
(from 83 to 26)
Grades: PK-5
510 N Main St
Bridgewater, SD 57319
(605) 729-2541
Bridgewater, SD 57319
(605) 729-2541
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Montrose Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +57
(from 87 to 30)
(from 87 to 30)
Grades: PK-5
309 S Church Ave
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Rank: #2626.
Garretson Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +56
(from 503 to 447)
(from 503 to 447)
Grades: PK-5
505 2nd St
Garretson, SD 57030
(605) 594-3453
Garretson, SD 57030
(605) 594-3453
Rank: #2727.
Florence Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +48
(from 517 to 469)
(from 517 to 469)
Grades: PK-5
515 Main Ave
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Rank: #2828.
Mccook Central Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +47
(from 562 to 515)
(from 562 to 515)
Grades: PK-4
200 E Essex
Salem, SD 57058
(605) 425-2264
Salem, SD 57058
(605) 425-2264
Rank: #2929.
Rapid Valley Elementary - 12
(Math: 42% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +45
(from 491 to 446)
(from 491 to 446)
Grades: PK-5
2601 Covington St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
Rank: #3030.
Gregory Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +43
(from 358 to 315)
(from 358 to 315)
Grades: PK-5
505 Logan St
Gregory, SD 57533
(605) 835-8771
Gregory, SD 57533
(605) 835-8771
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Ethan Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +42
(from 63 to 21)
(from 63 to 21)
Grades: PK-6
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +42
(from 495 to 453)
(from 495 to 453)
Grades: PK-8
42021 268th St
Parkston, SD 57366
(605) 928-3368
Parkston, SD 57366
(605) 928-3368
Rank: #3333.
Henry Elementary - 02
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +32
(from 562 to 530)
(from 562 to 530)
Grades: PK-5
111 N Cedar
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Rank: #3434.
Viborg-hurley Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +31
(from 509 to 478)
(from 509 to 478)
Grades: PK-4
203 W Park Ave
Viborg, SD 57070
(605) 766-5418
Viborg, SD 57070
(605) 766-5418
Rank: #35 - 3635. - 36.
Lennox Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +29
(from 44 to 15)
(from 44 to 15)
Grades: PK-4
305 W 5th Ave
Lennox, SD 57039
(605) 647-2203
Lennox, SD 57039
(605) 647-2203
Show 92 more public schools in SD (out of 127 total schools)
Loading...
Recent Articles
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
