Top Rankings
Spearfish School District 40-2 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 2,433 students in Spearfish School District 40-2. This district's average testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Spearfish School District 40-2 have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
8 Schools
734 Schools
# Students
2,433 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
174 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Spearfish School District 40-2, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 146 school districts in South Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 85-89% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#51 out of 148 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
42%
Graduation Rate
85-89%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.25
0.53
% American Indian
2%
14%
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
5%
8%
% Black
1%
3%
% White
87%
67%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,091 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,151 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$27 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$25 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,091
$13,121
Spending / Student
$10,151
$12,623
Best Spearfish School District 40-2 Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Spearfish High School - 01
(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
| 771 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: #33.
Black Hills Education Connections - 06
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2910 4th Ave
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 642-8286
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 642-8286
Grades: 10-12
| 31 students
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
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: n/an/a
400 E Hudson
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1209
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1209
Grades: K
| 166 students
Rank: n/an/a
Spearfish Academy At Canyon Hills High School - 10
Alternative School
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Grades: 9-12
| 18 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Spearfish School District 40-2?
Spearfish School District 40-2 manages 8 public schools serving 2,433 students.
What is the rank of Spearfish School District 40-2?
Spearfish School District 40-2 is ranked #49 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of South Dakota school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Spearfish School District 40-2?
87% of Spearfish School District 40-2 students are White, 5% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Spearfish School District 40-2?
Spearfish School District 40-2 has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is equal to the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Spearfish School District 40-2's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $10,151 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles

Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.

2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.

Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.