For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public elementary schools serving 2,272 students in Codington County, SD.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Codington County, SD are Lincoln Elementary - 05, Jefferson Elementary - 09 and Mellette Elementary - 07. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Codington 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 Codington County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% 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 Codington County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lincoln Elementary - 05
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1100 13th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Gr: 1-4 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #22.
Jefferson Elementary - 09
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1701 N Maple St
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6390
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6390
Gr: 1-4 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Mellette Elementary - 07
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
619 2nd St Nw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6385
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6385
Gr: 1-4 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #44.
Watertown Intermediate School - 13
(Math: 41% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
601 11th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6355
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6355
Gr: 5-6 | 532 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #55.
Florence Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
515 Main Ave
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Gr: PK-5 | 179 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #66.
Waverly-south Shore Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
319 Mary Pl
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Gr: PK-5 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #77.
Florence Middle School - 03
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
515 Main Ave
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Gr: 6-8 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #88.
Henry Elementary - 02
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
111 N Cedar
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Gr: PK-5 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #99.
Waverly-south Shore Middle School - 03
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
319 Mary Pl
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Gr: 6-8 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1010.
Henry Middle School - 03
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
111 N Cedar
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Gr: 6-8 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Codington County, SD?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Codington County, SD include Lincoln Elementary - 05, Jefferson Elementary - 09 and Mellette Elementary - 07.
How many public elementary schools are located in Codington County?
11 public elementary schools are located in Codington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Codington County?
Codington County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary schools average of 36% (majority American Indian).
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