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Best Public Schools in Minnehaha County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Minnehaha County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 79 public schools serving 34,664 students in Minnehaha County, SD (there are 24 private schools, serving 4,332 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Minnehaha County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Minnehaha County, SD are Challenge Center - 51, Fred Assam Elementary - 06 and Brandon Valley High School - 01. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Minnehaha County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Minnehaha County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Schools in Minnehaha County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Challenge Center - 51
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
3101 S 4th Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-6170
Gr: 2-5 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #22.
Fred Assam Elementary - 06
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
7700 E Willowwood St
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-1500
Gr: K-4 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Brandon Valley High School - 01
(Math: 65% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
301 S Splitrock Blvd
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-3211
Gr: 9-12 | 1,381 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Inspiration Elementary - 08
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3401 S Sparta Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 582-5890
Gr: K-4 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #55.
Robert Bennis Elementary - 05
(Math: 72% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2001 S Sioux Blvd
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-8010
Gr: K-4 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #66.
Sonia Sotomayor Elementary - 65
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1510 S Lake Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-4655
Gr: PK-5 | 690 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #77.
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
309 W 15th St
Dell Rapids, SD 57022
(605) 428-5473
Gr: K-4 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #88.
All City Elementary - 50
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2511 W Brookings St
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-6120
Gr: K-5 | 149 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #99.
Brandon Elementary - 03
(Math: 67% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
501 Holly Blvd
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-6315
Gr: PK-4 | 728 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1010.
Brandon Valley Middle School - 02
(Math: 57% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
700 Holly Blvd
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-3214
Gr: 7-8 | 759 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1111.
Lincoln High School - 02
(Math: 54% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2900 S Cliff Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-7990
Gr: 9-12 | 1,954 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1212.
Brandon Valley Intermediate - 07
(Math: 64% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
201 W Park St
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-6035
Gr: 5-6 | 829 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1313.
John Harris Elementary - 23
(Math: 64% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3501 E 49th St
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
(605) 371-4111
Gr: PK-5 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1414.
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03
(Math: 63% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1216 N Garfield Ave
Dell Rapids, SD 57022
(605) 428-5473
Gr: 5-8 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1515.
Rf Pettigrew Elementary - 17
(Math: 57% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
7900 W 53rd St
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
(605) 362-3560
Gr: PK-5 | 846 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1616.
Patrick Henry Middle School - 07
(Math: 57% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2200 S 5th Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 367-7639
Gr: 6-8 | 925 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1717.
Discovery Elementary - 26
(Math: 60% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1506 S Discovery Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
(605) 362-3530
Gr: PK-5 | 873 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1818.
John F. Kennedy Elementary - 57
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4501 S Holbrook Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
(605) 362-2784
Gr: K-5 | 661 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1919.
Memorial Middle School - 04
(Math: 54% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1401 S Sertoma Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
(605) 362-2785
Gr: 6-8 | 1,133 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #2020.
Baltic Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1 Bulldog Ave
Baltic, SD 57003
(605) 529-5464
Gr: PK-5 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #2121.
West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02
(Math: 62% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
600 S Main St
Hartford, SD 57033
(605) 363-3131
Gr: K-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #2222.
Tri-valley High School - 01
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
46474 252nd St
Colton, SD 57018
(605) 446-3538
Gr: 9-12 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2323.
Harvey Dunn Elementary - 54
(Math: 63% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2400 S Bahnson Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
(605) 371-4120
Gr: PK-5 | 681 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2424.
Dell Rapids High School - 01
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1216 N Garfield Ave
Dell Rapids, SD 57022
(605) 428-5473
Gr: 9-12 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #2525.
Baltic High School - 01
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1 Bulldog Ave
Baltic, SD 57003
(605) 529-5461
Gr: 9-12 | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #2626.
Baltic Middle School - 03
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1 Bulldog Ave
Baltic, SD 57003
(605) 529-5461
Gr: 6-8 | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #2727.
Jefferson High School - 67
(Math: 41% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1600 N Marion Rd
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
(605) 367-6184
Gr: 9-12 | 1,888 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2828.
Structured Teaching - 12
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
201 N West Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-7647
Gr: 6-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Brighten Transition Youth Treatment Center - 07
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
46560 264th St
Hartford, SD 57033
(605) 528-3799
Gr: 8-12 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Summit Oaks-residential - 48
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
621 E Presentation Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-7647
Gr: K-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #3131.
Falls Academy - 08
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
46560 264th St
Hartford, SD 57033
(605) 528-3799
Gr: 5-12 | 29 students Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #3232.
West Central High School - 01
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
705 E 2nd St
Hartford, SD 57033
(605) 528-6236
Gr: 9-12 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #3333.
Washington High School - 01
(Math: 34% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
501 N Sycamore Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
(605) 367-7970
Gr: 9-12 | 1,819 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #3434.
Garretson Middle School - 03
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
505 2nd St
Garretson, SD 57030
(605) 594-3452
Gr: 6-8 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #3535.
Roosevelt High School - 03
(Math: 34% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
6600 W 41st St
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
(605) 362-2860
Gr: 9-12 | 1,785 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 37%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Minnehaha County, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Minnehaha County, SD include Challenge Center - 51, Fred Assam Elementary - 06 and Brandon Valley High School - 01.
How many public schools are located in Minnehaha County?
82 public schools are located in Minnehaha County.
What percentage of students in Minnehaha County go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Minnehaha County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Minnehaha County?
Minnehaha County public schools minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the South Dakota public schools average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Minnehaha County are often viewed compared to one another?

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