For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public preschools serving 1,538 students in Codington County, SD.
The top-ranked public preschools in Codington County, SD are Lincoln Elementary - 05, Mckinley Elementary - 06 and Jefferson Elementary - 09. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Codington County, SD public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 61% (versus the South Dakota public pre school average of 44%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 45% statewide average). Pre schools in Codington County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of South Dakota public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public preschool average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools 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: PK-4 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #22.
Mckinley Elementary - 06
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5 12th St Sw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Gr: PK-4 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
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: PK-4 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #44.
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: PK-4 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
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 | 172 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 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
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: 4%
Codington County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
216 10th St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6398
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6398
Gr: PK | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
216 10th St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6399
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6399
Gr: PK-K | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Northeast Technical High School - 01 (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
1311 3rd Ave Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6380
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6380
Gr: 9-12
203 South School St
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
Gr: PK-5 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
203 S School St
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
Gr: 9-12 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
203 S School St
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
Gr: 7-8 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Codington County, SD?
The top-ranked public preschools in Codington County, SD include Lincoln Elementary - 05, Mckinley Elementary - 06 and Jefferson Elementary - 09.
How many public preschools are located in Codington County?
7 public preschools are located in Codington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Codington County?
Codington County public preschools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public preschools average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Helping Children Overcome First-Week School Anxiety
Learn practical strategies to help children overcome first-week school anxiety, with expert-backed tips for parents and educators.
Public School Immunization Requirements 2026–2027
Learn public school immunization and health requirements for 2026–2027, including vaccines, exemptions, and state policy updates.
Public Schools in a Minute: 2026 Snapshot Guide
A clear 2026 snapshot of public schools in the U.S., including enrollment, funding, trends, and what families should know.