For the 2025 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 5,400 students in Brown County, SD (there are 9 private schools, serving 1,238 private students). 81% of all K-12 students in Brown County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%). Brown County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in South Dakota.
The top ranked public schools in Brown County, SD are Warner Elementary - 02, Warner Middle School - 03 and C C Lee Elementary - 05. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Brown County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Brown County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Brown County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Warner Elementary - 02
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Grades: K-5
| 149 students
Rank: #22.
Warner Middle School - 03
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Grades: 6-8
| 73 students
Rank: #33.
C C Lee Elementary - 05
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1900 N State St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7500
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7500
Grades: K-5
| 373 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Frederick Area Middle School - 03
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
202 E Main St
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Grades: 6-8
| 37 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Warner High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
110 1st Ave Sw
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Warner, SD 57479
(605) 225-6194
Grades: 9-12
| 90 students
Rank: #66.
Groton Area High School - 01
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
502 N 2nd St
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Grades: 9-12
| 171 students
Rank: #77.
Groton Area Middle School - 04
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
502 N 2nd St
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Grades: 6-8
| 126 students
Rank: #88.
Frederick Area Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
202 E Main St
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Grades: PK-5
| 92 students
Rank: #99.
Groton Area Elementary - 02
(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
| 304 students
Rank: #1010.
Mike Miller Elementary - 07
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3010 Milwaukee Ave Ne
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7800
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7800
Grades: K-5
| 266 students
Rank: #1111.
Frederick High School - 01
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
202 E Main St
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Frederick, SD 57441
(605) 329-2145
Grades: 9-12
| 66 students
Rank: #1212.
Holgate Middle School - 02
(Math: 49% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2200 N Dakota St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7700
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7700
Grades: 6-8
| 490 students
Rank: #1313.
Central High School - 01
(Math: 41% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2200 S Roosevelt St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-8100
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-8100
Grades: 9-12
| 1,374 students
Rank: #1414.
Lincoln Elementary - 08
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
414 S 10th St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7200
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7200
Grades: PK-5
| 237 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
May Overby Elementary - 09
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
612 14th Ave Se
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7300
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7300
Grades: K-5
| 353 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
O M Tiffany Elementary - 11
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
819 8th Ave Ne
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7400
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7400
Grades: K-5
| 290 students
Rank: #1717.
Simmons Middle School - 03
(Math: 36% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1300 S 3rd St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7900
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7900
Grades: 6-8
| 458 students
Rank: #1818.
Simmons Elementary - 10
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1500 S 3rd St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7600
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7600
Grades: K-5
| 416 students
Rank: n/an/a
14625 401st Ave
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 396-7497
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 396-7497
Grades: K-8
| 17 students
Rank: n/an/a
Sdsbvi Elementary - 01
Special Education School
605 14th Ave Se
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 626-2580
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 626-2580
Grades: PK-8
| 7 students
Rank: n/an/a
Sdsbvi High School - 02
Special Education School
605 14th Ave Se
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 626-2580
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 626-2580
Grades: 9-12
| 11 students
Brown County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Aberdeen Alternative Learning Center- 12 (Closed 2020)
Alternative School
1300 3 St S
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7900
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7900
Grades: 6-8
| 2 students
Po Box 410
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Groton, SD 57445
(605) 397-8381
Grades: PK-8
| 7 students
Hub Area Multi-district High School (Closed 2016)
Vocational School
640 9th Ave Sw
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7800
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-7800
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
14625 401st Ave
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 395-6362
Stratford, SD 57474
(605) 395-6362
Grades: 9-12
| 10 students
New Beginnings - 89 (Closed 2024)
Alternative School
1601 Milwaukee Ave Ne
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-8100
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 725-8100
Grades: 5-12
| 8 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Brown County, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Brown County, SD include Warner Elementary - 02, Warner Middle School - 03 and C C Lee Elementary - 05. Brown County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in South Dakota.
How many public schools are located in Brown County?
21 public schools are located in Brown County.
What percentage of students in Brown County go to public school?
81% of all K-12 students in Brown County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Brown County?
Brown County public schools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Brown County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Brown County include: Lincoln Elementary - 08 vs. C C Lee Elementary - 05, Lincoln Elementary - 08 vs. May Overby Elementary - 09, C C Lee Elementary - 05 vs. Lincoln Elementary - 08
Recent Articles

The Impact of Coronavirus on Public Schools
This article discusses the widespread impact of COVID-19 on public schools, addressing issues such as school closures, remote learning challenges, effects on standardized testing, and concerns about student progress. It also provides tips for parents suddenly faced with homeschooling responsibilities.

What Public School Students Should Expect After COVID-19
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the financial impact of COVID-19 on public schools and what to expect in the future. We’ll talk about the effects of budget cuts and other challenges affecting the public school system for the remainder of this school year and into the next.

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.