For the 2024-25 school year, there are 17 blue ribbon public preschools serving 3,662 students in South Dakota.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top ranked blue ribbon public preschools in South Dakota are Whitewood Elementary - 04, Ethan Elementary - 02 and Sonia Sotomayor Elementary - 65. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Dakota blue ribbon public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the South Dakota public pre school average of 44%), and reading proficiency score of 62% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public preschool average of 33% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Preschools in South Dakota (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
Magnet School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
603 Garfield St
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: PK-5
| 109 students
Rank: #22.
Ethan Elementary - 02
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Grades: PK-6
| 152 students
Rank: #33.
Sonia Sotomayor Elementary - 65
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1510 S Lake Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-4655
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-4655
Grades: PK-5
| 676 students
Rank: #44.
Faulkton Elementary - 02
Magnet School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1114 Court St
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Grades: PK-5
| 162 students
Rank: #55.
Canistota Elementary - 02
Magnet School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
431 4th Ave
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Grades: PK-5
| 157 students
Rank: #66.
Corsica-stickney Elementary - 02
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
506 Main St
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Stickney, SD 57375
(605) 732-4221
Grades: PK-6
| 170 students
Rank: #77.
Timber Lake Elementary - 02
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Grades: PK-5
| 168 students
Rank: #88.
Webster Area Elementary - 03
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
102 E Ninth Ave
Webster, SD 57274
(605) 345-4651
Webster, SD 57274
(605) 345-4651
Grades: PK-5
| 265 students
Rank: #99.
Kimball Elementary - 02
Magnet School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
300 S East St
Kimball, SD 57355
(605) 778-6231
Kimball, SD 57355
(605) 778-6231
Grades: PK-4
| 123 students
Rank: #1010.
Groton Area Elementary - 02
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
810 N 1st St
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-2317
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-2317
Grades: PK-5
| 295 students
Rank: #1111.
Baltic Elementary - 02
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1 Bulldog Ave
Baltic, SD 57003
(605) 529-5464
Baltic, SD 57003
(605) 529-5464
Grades: PK-5
| 317 students
Rank: #1212.
Harvey Dunn Elementary - 54
Magnet School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2400 S Bahnson Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
(605) 371-4120
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
(605) 371-4120
Grades: PK-5
| 632 students
Rank: #1313.
Blunt Elementary - 03
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
202 W Butte St
Blunt, SD 57522
(605) 258-2617
Blunt, SD 57522
(605) 258-2617
Grades: PK-4
| 33 students
Rank: #1414.
Alcester-hudson Elementary - 04
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
409 E 6th St
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-2171
Alcester, SD 57001
(605) 934-2171
Grades: PK-6
| 195 students
Rank: #1515.
Armour Elementary - 02
Magnet School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
905 Dobson Ave
Armour, SD 57313
(605) 724-2698
Armour, SD 57313
(605) 724-2698
Grades: PK-5
| 123 students
Rank: #1616.
White Lake Elementary - 02
Magnet School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
410 E 4th St
White Lake, SD 57383
(605) 249-2251
White Lake, SD 57383
(605) 249-2251
Grades: PK-5
| 63 students
Rank: n/an/a
Arlington Preschool - 04
Magnet School
306 S Main St
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5597
Arlington, SD 57212
(605) 983-5597
Grades: PK
| 22 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public preschools in South Dakota?
The top ranked blue ribbon public preschools in South Dakota include Whitewood Elementary - 04, Ethan Elementary - 02 and Sonia Sotomayor Elementary - 65.
How many blue ribbon public preschools are located in South Dakota?
17 blue ribbon public preschools are located in South Dakota.
What is the racial composition of students in South Dakota?
South Dakota blue ribbon public preschools minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public preschools average of 33% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
How Schools are Cutting More Costs in 2011
Budget cuts continue to cripple school districts across the country, forcing some schools to make major cuts creatively. Learn about the current situation and how some public schools are coping with the budget shortfalls.
Vouchers for Special Education: Are They a Good Idea?
The article examines the pros and cons of using school vouchers for special education students. It discusses how vouchers can provide more educational options for families but also raises concerns about accountability, funding for public schools, and the implementation of special education laws in private school settings.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.
