The most improved public preschools in South Dakota are Timber Lake Elementary - 02, Waubay Elementary - 02 and Kadoka Elementary - 02.
A school's improvement is based on a its total rise in ranking spots during the last five years (2020-25).
Improved Rank Range: 8
383
Avg. Improved Rank: 121
Most Improved Public Preschools in South Dakota (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Ranking Change (2020-25)
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
Hanson Elementary - 06
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +288
(from 303 to 15)
(from 303 to 15)
Grades: PK-5
230 6th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Rank: #55.
Montrose Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Rank Change: +264
(from 313 to 49)
(from 313 to 49)
Grades: PK-5
309 S Church Ave
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Montrose, SD 57048
(605) 363-5025
Rank: #66.
Rosette Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: PK-8
12465 359th Ave
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6832
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6832
Rank: #77.
South Central Elementary - 03
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +232
(from 405 to 173)
(from 405 to 173)
Grades: PK-5
401 Birdsell St
Bonesteel, SD 57317
(605) 654-2314
Bonesteel, SD 57317
(605) 654-2314
Rank: #88.
Mount Vernon Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +208
(from 313 to 105)
(from 313 to 105)
Grades: PK-5
500 N Main
Mount Vernon, SD 57363
(605) 236-5237
Mount Vernon, SD 57363
(605) 236-5237
Rank: #99.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +206
(from 214 to 8)
(from 214 to 8)
Grades: PK-5
603 Garfield St
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Rank: #1010.
New Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 08
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +181
(from 589 to 408)
(from 589 to 408)
Grades: PK-8
41844 269th St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 928-3040
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 928-3040
Rank: #1111.
Big Stone City Elementary - 01
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +169
(from 191 to 22)
(from 191 to 22)
Grades: PK-5
655 Walnut St
Big Stone City, SD 57216
(605) 862-8108
Big Stone City, SD 57216
(605) 862-8108
Rank: #1212.
Pembrook Colony Elementary - 06
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +159
(from 280 to 121)
(from 280 to 121)
Grades: PK-8
35955 139th St
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6832
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6832
Rank: #1313.
Northwestern Elementary - 04
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +150
(from 405 to 255)
(from 405 to 255)
Grades: PK-5
221 3rd St
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Mellette, SD 57461
(605) 887-3467
Rank: #1414.
Eureka Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Rank Change: +148
(from 204 to 56)
(from 204 to 56)
Grades: PK-6
805 10th St
Eureka, SD 57437
(605) 284-2875
Eureka, SD 57437
(605) 284-2875
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Burke Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +86
(from 191 to 105)
(from 191 to 105)
Grades: PK-5
933 Lincoln St
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2246
Burke, SD 57523
(605) 775-2246
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Baltic Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Rank Change: +86
(from 224 to 138)
(from 224 to 138)
Grades: PK-5
1 Bulldog Ave
Baltic, SD 57003
(605) 529-5464
Baltic, SD 57003
(605) 529-5464
Rank: #1717.
Faulkton Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +65
(from 73 to 8)
(from 73 to 8)
Grades: PK-5
1114 Court St
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Rank: #1818.
Willow Lake Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +63
(from 460 to 397)
(from 460 to 397)
Grades: PK-5
400 Garfield Ave
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Rank: #1919.
Plankinton Elementary - 02
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +60
(from 128 to 68)
(from 128 to 68)
Grades: PK-6
404 E Davenport St
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-7743
Plankinton, SD 57368
(605) 942-7743
Rank: #2020.
Centerville Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Rank Change: +55
(from 90 to 35)
(from 90 to 35)
Grades: PK-5
610 Lincoln St
Centerville, SD 57014
(605) 563-2291
Centerville, SD 57014
(605) 563-2291
Rank: #2121.
Lake Preston Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Rank Change: +52
(from 57 to 5)
(from 57 to 5)
Grades: PK-5
300 1st St Ne
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Lake Preston, SD 57249
(605) 847-4464
Rank: #2222.
Red Shirt School - 04
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +48
(from 621 to 573)
(from 621 to 573)
Grades: PK-8
38 Tatanka Nunpa
Batesland, SD 57716
(605) 255-4859
Batesland, SD 57716
(605) 255-4859
Rank: #2323.
Leola Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +45
(from 57 to 12)
(from 57 to 12)
Grades: PK-5
820 Leola Ave
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Leola, SD 57456
(605) 439-3477
Rank: #2424.
Mckinley Elementary - 06
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +42
(from 138 to 96)
(from 138 to 96)
Grades: PK-4
5 12th St Sw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Ethan Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +41
(from 57 to 16)
(from 57 to 16)
Grades: PK-6
320 S 2nd St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 227-4211
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Kimball Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +41
(from 115 to 74)
(from 115 to 74)
Grades: PK-4
300 S East St
Kimball, SD 57355
(605) 778-6231
Kimball, SD 57355
(605) 778-6231
Rank: #2727.
White River Elementary - 02
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +33
(from 625 to 592)
(from 625 to 592)
Grades: PK-5
501 E 3rd St
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3137
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3137
Rank: #2828.
Canistota Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Rank Change: +31
(from 73 to 42)
(from 73 to 42)
Grades: PK-5
431 4th Ave
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Canistota, SD 57012
(605) 296-3458
Rank: #2929.
Lennox Elementary - 02
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +28
(from 44 to 16)
(from 44 to 16)
Grades: PK-4
305 W 5th Ave
Lennox, SD 57039
(605) 647-2203
Lennox, SD 57039
(605) 647-2203
Rank: #3030.
Chester Elementary -02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rank Change: +24
(from 328 to 304)
(from 328 to 304)
Grades: PK-5
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Rank: #3131.
Lincoln Elementary - 05
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Rank Change: +22
(from 40 to 18)
(from 40 to 18)
Grades: PK-4
1100 13th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Hamlin Elementary - 09
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +13
(from 115 to 102)
(from 115 to 102)
Grades: PK-5
44577 188th St
Hayti, SD 57241
(605) 783-3631
Hayti, SD 57241
(605) 783-3631
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Batesland School - 01
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +13
(from 626 to 613)
(from 626 to 613)
Grades: PK-8
206 School St
Batesland, SD 57716
(605) 454-4210
Batesland, SD 57716
(605) 454-4210
Rank: #3434.
Menno Elementary - 02
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Rank Change: +9
(from 90 to 81)
(from 90 to 81)
Grades: PK-5
410 S 5th St
Menno, SD 57045
(605) 387-5161
Menno, SD 57045
(605) 387-5161
Rank: #3535.
Newell Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Rank Change: +8
(from 469 to 461)
(from 469 to 461)
Grades: PK-5
501 Dartmouth Ave
Newell, SD 57760
(605) 456-0102
Newell, SD 57760
(605) 456-0102
Show 92 more public schools in SD (out of 127 total schools)
Loading...
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
