For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 2,041 students in Lake County, SD (there are 2 private schools, serving 106 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Lake County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lake County, SD are Chester High School - 01, Madison Elementary - 07 and Chester Area Cyber School - 92. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lake County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Lake County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Lake County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Chester High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Gr: 9-12 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
Madison Elementary - 07
(Math: 50% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
700 Nw 9th St
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7721
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7721
Gr: K-5 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #33.
Chester Area Cyber School - 92
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 5th St
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Gr: 9-12 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1
Rank: #44.
Chester Middle School - 03
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Gr: 6-8 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Graceville Colony - 07
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
23843 - 446a Ave
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-2267
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 256-2267
Gr: K-8 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
High Plains - 06
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 5th St
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Gr: 9-12 | 84 students Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Chester Elementary -02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
102 2nd Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Gr: PK-5 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Madison High School - 01
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
800 Ne 9th St
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7706
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7706
Gr: 9-12 | 384 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #99.
Shannon Colony Elementary - 08
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
43945 235th St.
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 772-4443
Winfred, SD 57076
(605) 772-4443
Gr: K-8 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #1010.
Madison Middle School - 02
(Math: 39% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
830 Ne 9th St
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7717
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-7717
Gr: 6-8 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1111.
Rustic Acres Elementary - 04
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
24243 456th Ave
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Chester, SD 57016
(605) 489-2411
Gr: K-8 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: n/an/a
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Gr: K-8 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: n/an/a
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Gr: PK-5 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: n/an/a
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Gr: 9-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
102 School St
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Rutland, SD 57057
(605) 586-4352
Gr: 6-8 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Lake County, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Lake County, SD include Chester High School - 01, Madison Elementary - 07 and Chester Area Cyber School - 92.
How many public schools are located in Lake County?
15 public schools are located in Lake County.
What percentage of students in Lake County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Lake County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lake County?
Lake County public schools minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Lake County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lake County include: Shannon Colony Elementary - 08 vs. Graceville Colony - 07
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