For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public preschools serving 1,538 students in Codington County, SD.
The top ranked public preschools in Codington County, SD are Lincoln Elementary - 05, Mckinley Elementary - 06 and Mellette Elementary - 07. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Codington County, SD public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the South Dakota public pre school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 45% statewide average). Pre schools in Codington County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public preschool average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Codington County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lincoln Elementary - 05
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1100 13th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Grades: PK-4
| 338 students
Rank: #22.
Mckinley Elementary - 06
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5 12th St Sw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Grades: PK-4
| 255 students
Rank: #33.
Mellette Elementary - 07
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
619 2nd St Nw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6385
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6385
Grades: PK-4
| 235 students
Rank: #44.
Jefferson Elementary - 09
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1701 N Maple St
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6390
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6390
Grades: PK-4
| 332 students
Rank: #55.
Waverly-south Shore Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
319 Mary Pl
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Grades: PK-5
| 113 students
Rank: #66.
Florence Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
515 Main Ave
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Grades: PK-5
| 172 students
Rank: #77.
Henry Elementary - 02
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
111 N Cedar
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Grades: PK-5
| 93 students
Codington County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
216 10th St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6398
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6398
Grades: PK
| 50 students
216 10th St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6399
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6399
Grades: PK-K
| 66 students
Northeast Technical High School - 01 (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
1311 3rd Ave Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6380
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6380
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
412 2nd St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6360
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6360
Grades: PK-4
| 148 students
203 South School St
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
Grades: PK-5
| 30 students
203 S School St
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
Grades: 9-12
| 30 students
203 S School St
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
Grades: 7-8
| 11 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Codington County, SD?
The top ranked public preschools in Codington County, SD include Lincoln Elementary - 05, Mckinley Elementary - 06 and Mellette Elementary - 07.
How many public preschools are located in Codington County?
7 public preschools are located in Codington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Codington County?
Codington County public preschools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public preschools average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
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