The most improved public schools in South Dakota are Timber Lake High School - 01, Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04 and Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14.
A school's improvement is based on a its total rise in ranking spots during the last five years (2020-25).
Improved Rank Range: 303
590
Avg. Improved Rank: 381
Most Improved Public Schools in South Dakota (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Ranking Change (2020-25)
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Timber Lake High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +590
(from 602 to 12)
(from 602 to 12)
Grades: 9-12
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Rank: #22.
Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +573
(from 602 to 29)
(from 602 to 29)
Grades: K-8
42906 Colony Rd
Freeman, SD 57029
(605) 925-4216
Freeman, SD 57029
(605) 925-4216
Rank: #33.
Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +483
(from 505 to 22)
(from 505 to 22)
Grades: K-8
36926 266th St
Platte, SD 57369
(605) 337-2468
Platte, SD 57369
(605) 337-2468
Rank: #44.
Howard High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Rank Change: +454
(from 460 to 6)
(from 460 to 6)
Grades: 9-12
500 N Section Line
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
Rank: #55.
Glendale Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +443
(from 570 to 127)
(from 570 to 127)
Grades: K-8
17866 Glendale Dr
Tulare, SD 57476
(605) 266-2151
Tulare, SD 57476
(605) 266-2151
Rank: #66.
Brentwood Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +430
(from 612 to 182)
(from 612 to 182)
Grades: K-8
15442 343rd Ave
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Milbank High School - 01
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +429
(from 494 to 65)
(from 494 to 65)
Grades: 9-12
1001 E Park Ave
Milbank, SD 57252
(605) 432-5546
Milbank, SD 57252
(605) 432-5546
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Spink Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +429
(from 602 to 173)
(from 602 to 173)
Grades: K-8
18206 Spink Ln
Tulare, SD 57476
(605) 266-2151
Tulare, SD 57476
(605) 266-2151
Rank: #99.
Mcintosh High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +400
(from 602 to 202)
(from 602 to 202)
Grades: 9-12
511 Main St
Mc Intosh, SD 57641
(605) 273-4227
Mc Intosh, SD 57641
(605) 273-4227
Rank: #1010.
Faith High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +394
(from 629 to 235)
(from 629 to 235)
Grades: 9-12
206 W 5th St
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Rank: #1111.
Jones County High School - 01
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +388
(from 570 to 182)
(from 570 to 182)
Grades: 9-12
404 Jackson Ave
Murdo, SD 57559
(605) 669-2258
Murdo, SD 57559
(605) 669-2258
Rank: #1212.
Thunderbird Colony Elementary - 10
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +384
(from 505 to 121)
(from 505 to 121)
Grades: K-8
15185 346th Ave
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Rank: #1313.
Timber Lake Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Rank Change: +383
(from 434 to 51)
(from 434 to 51)
Grades: PK-5
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Rank: #1414.
Waubay Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Rank Change: +382
(from 438 to 56)
(from 438 to 56)
Grades: PK-6
202 W School Rd
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Irene - Wakonda High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +381
(from 478 to 97)
(from 478 to 97)
Grades: 9-12
130 E State St
Irene, SD 57037
(605) 263-3313
Irene, SD 57037
(605) 263-3313
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Kadoka Area High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +381
(from 478 to 97)
(from 478 to 97)
Grades: 9-12
800 Bayberry St
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2172
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2172
Rank: #1717.
E. A. G. L. E. Center High School - 07
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +373
(from 631 to 258)
(from 631 to 258)
Grades: 9-12
E St
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-8773
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 964-8773
Rank: #1818.
Bison High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +372
(from 574 to 202)
(from 574 to 202)
Grades: 9-12
200 E Carr St
Bison, SD 57620
(605) 244-5271
Bison, SD 57620
(605) 244-5271
Rank: #1919.
Leola High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +368
(from 570 to 202)
(from 570 to 202)
Grades: 9-12
820 Leola Ave
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Rank: #2020.
Kadoka Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +364
(from 469 to 105)
(from 469 to 105)
Grades: PK-5
800 Bayberry St
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2173
Kadoka, SD 57543
(605) 837-2173
Rank: #2121.
Bowdle Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +357
(from 438 to 81)
(from 438 to 81)
Grades: K-5
3083 2nd Ave
Bowdle, SD 57428
(605) 285-6590
Bowdle, SD 57428
(605) 285-6590
Rank: #2222.
Chester High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +353
(from 465 to 112)
(from 465 to 112)
Grades: 9-12
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Rank: #2323.
Hanson High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +349
(from 369 to 20)
(from 369 to 20)
Grades: 9-12
230 6th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Rank: #2424.
Waubay High School - 01
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +344
(from 602 to 258)
(from 602 to 258)
Grades: 9-12
202 W School Rd
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Waubay, SD 57273
(605) 947-4529
Rank: #2525.
Avon High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +332
(from 505 to 173)
(from 505 to 173)
Grades: 9-12
210 Pine St
Avon, SD 57315
(605) 286-3291
Avon, SD 57315
(605) 286-3291
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Rolland Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +331
(from 589 to 258)
(from 589 to 258)
Grades: K-8
48088 210th St
White, SD 57276
(605) 542-2541
White, SD 57276
(605) 542-2541
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Structured Teaching - 12
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +331
(from 589 to 258)
(from 589 to 258)
Grades: 6-12
201 N West Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-7647
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-7647
Rank: #2828.
Brandon Valley High School - 01
(Math: 65% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +324
(from 346 to 22)
(from 346 to 22)
Grades: 9-12
301 S Splitrock Blvd
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-3211
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-3211
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Armour High School - 01
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +323
(from 505 to 182)
(from 505 to 182)
Grades: 9-12
604 3rd St
Armour, SD 57313
(605) 724-2153
Armour, SD 57313
(605) 724-2153
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Opal Elementary - 15
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +323
(from 505 to 182)
(from 505 to 182)
Grades: K-8
18010 Opal Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Rank: #3131.
Parkston High School - 01
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +320
(from 405 to 85)
(from 405 to 85)
Grades: 9-12
102a S Chapman Dr
Parkston, SD 57366
(605) 928-3368
Parkston, SD 57366
(605) 928-3368
Rank: #3232.
Canistota High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +319
(from 612 to 293)
(from 612 to 293)
Grades: 9-12
431 4th Ave
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Rank: #3333.
Clearfield Colony Elementary - 07
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +312
(from 570 to 258)
(from 570 to 258)
Grades: K-8
40248 293rd Ave
Tripp, SD 57376
(605) 935-6766
Tripp, SD 57376
(605) 935-6766
Rank: #3434.
Tri-valley High School - 01
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +306
(from 452 to 146)
(from 452 to 146)
Grades: 9-12
46450 252nd St
Colton, SD 57018
(605) 446-3538
Colton, SD 57018
(605) 446-3538
Rank: #35 - 4335. - 43.
Mobridge Upper Elementary - 04
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +303
(from 405 to 102)
(from 405 to 102)
Grades: 3-5
1107 1st Ave E
Mobridge, SD 57601
(605) 845-9210
Mobridge, SD 57601
(605) 845-9210
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