For the 2025 school year, there are 13 public elementary schools serving 2,052 students in Lawrence County, SD.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Lawrence County, SD are Whitewood Elementary - 04, Creekside Elementary - 07 and Atall Elementary - 17. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lawrence County, SD public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Lawrence County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Lawrence County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
(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
| 124 students
Rank: #22.
Creekside Elementary - 07
(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
| 519 students
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Atall Elementary - 17
(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
| 7 students
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Elm Springs Elementary - 13
(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
| 11 students
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Opal Elementary - 15
(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: #66.
Hereford Elementary - 08
(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
| 13 students
Rank: #77.
Spearfish Academy At Canyon Hills Elementary - 09
Alternative 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
| 7 students
Rank: #88.
Central Meade County School - 09
(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
| 48 students
Rank: #99.
Spearfish Middle School - 05
(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
| 573 students
Rank: #1010.
Lead-deadwood Middle School - 02
(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
| 144 students
Rank: #1111.
Lead-deadwood Elementary - 03
(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
| 244 students
Rank: n/an/a
Black Hills Academy At Canyon Hills - 08
Alternative 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
920 W King St
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1205
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1205
Grades: 1-2
| 348 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
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 elementary schools in Lawrence County, SD?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Lawrence County, SD include Whitewood Elementary - 04, Creekside Elementary - 07 and Atall Elementary - 17.
How many public elementary schools are located in Lawrence County?
13 public elementary schools are located in Lawrence County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lawrence County?
Lawrence County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary schools average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Which public elementary schools in Lawrence County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Lawrence County include: Creekside Elementary - 07 vs. West Elementary - 03, West Elementary - 03 vs. Creekside Elementary - 07
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