For the 2024-25 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 3,377 students in Lawrence County, SD (there are 2 private schools, serving 301 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Lawrence County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Lawrence County, SD are Whitewood Elementary - 04, Spearfish High School - 01 and Creekside Elementary - 07. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lawrence County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Lawrence County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 32% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Lawrence County (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.
Spearfish High School - 01
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1725 N Main
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1212
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1212
Grades: 9-12
| 796 students
Rank: #33.
Creekside Elementary - 07
Magnet School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2325 N Ave
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1210
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1210
Grades: 3-5
| 498 students
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Atall Elementary - 17
Magnet School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
16375 Atall Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 9 students
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Elm Springs Elementary - 13
Magnet School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
21309 Elm Springs Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 6 students
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Opal Elementary - 15
Magnet School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
18010 Opal Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 14 students
Rank: #77.
Hereford Elementary - 08
Magnet School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15998 Cross S Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 11 students
Rank: #88.
Lead-deadwood Career & Technical Education - 10
Vocational School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
22023 Job Corps Ctr
Nemo, SD 57759
(605) 578-2371
Nemo, SD 57759
(605) 578-2371
Grades: 9-12
| 60 students
Rank: #99.
Spearfish Academy At Canyon Hills Elementary - 09
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Grades: 4-8
| 2 students
Rank: #1010.
Central Meade County School - 09
Magnet School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
19625 Ball Field Road
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 56 students
Rank: #1111.
Spearfish Middle School - 05
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1600 N Canyon
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1215
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1215
Grades: 6-8
| 600 students
Rank: #1212.
Lead-deadwood Middle School - 02
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
234 S Main St
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3898
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3898
Grades: 6-8
| 159 students
Rank: #1313.
Lead-deadwood High School - 01
Magnet School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
320 S Main St
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3899
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3899
Grades: 9-12
| 222 students
Rank: #1414.
Lead-deadwood Elementary - 03
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
716 Main St
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605) 717-3884
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605) 717-3884
Grades: K-5
| 293 students
Rank: n/an/a
Black Hills Academy At Canyon Hills - 08
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Grades: 4-8
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Black Hills Academy At Canyon Hills High School - 07
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Mountain View Elementary - 08
Magnet School
400 E Hudson
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1209
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1209
Grades: K
| 168 students
Rank: n/an/a
Spearfish Academy At Canyon Hills High School - 10
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Grades: 9-12
| 22 students
Rank: n/an/a
West Elementary - 03
Magnet School
920 W King St
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1205
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1205
Grades: 1-2
| 352 students
Lawrence County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Black Hills Education Connection - 03 High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
2910 4th Ave
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Black Hills Education Connections - 06 (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
2910 4th Ave
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 642-8286
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 642-8286
Grades: 10-12
| 31 students
Po Box 16
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 8 students
Po Box 16
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 3 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Lawrence County, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Lawrence County, SD include Whitewood Elementary - 04, Spearfish High School - 01 and Creekside Elementary - 07.
How many public schools are located in Lawrence County?
19 public schools are located in Lawrence County.
What percentage of students in Lawrence County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Lawrence County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lawrence County?
Lawrence County public schools minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 32% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Lawrence County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lawrence County include: Lead-deadwood High School - 01 vs. Spearfish High School - 01, West Elementary - 03 vs. Creekside Elementary - 07, Spearfish High School - 01 vs. Lead-deadwood High School - 01
Recent Articles
College Application Requirement for High School Graduation? DC Weighs Possibility
The article discusses a proposal in Washington D.C. to make college applications a requirement for high school graduation. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a policy, including its impact on graduation rates and college attendance. The piece also considers similar initiatives in other states and the debate surrounding this approach
Bribing Students to Get Good Grades: The Debate
This piece explores the controversial practice of offering monetary rewards to students for good grades. It examines studies conducted in various cities, discussing the effectiveness of such programs and the ethical concerns they raise. The article presents arguments from both supporters and critics of this approach to student motivation.
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.
