McGregor House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0Aberdeen’s public schools outscore 56% of South Dakota districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Aberdeen, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within South Dakota, not nationally.
From South Dakota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Aberdeen’s schools, in brief
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 54% and math 45% in spring 2022, against 51% and 42% statewide; 83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,519 per student, against $13,040 across South Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Aberdeen Catholic Schools (private), Roncalli Primary School (private), Roncalli Jr. & Sr. High School (private), Aberdeen Christian School, Inc (private), Roncalli Elementary School (private), Trinity Lutheran School (private), Catalyst Behavior Solutions (private) and Montessori School of Aberdeen (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Aberdeen’s grade
B: better than 56% of South Dakota school districts, #20 of 35 South Dakota towns. Test scores are above the South Dakota average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Aberdeen, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Aberdeen · depends on your address
Holgate Middle School - 02
Grades 6–8 · 497 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Simmons Middle School - 03
Grades 6–8 · 464 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Aberdeen · depends on your address
Holgate Middle School - 02
Grades 6–8 · 497 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Simmons Middle School - 03
Grades 6–8 · 464 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Aberdeen · depends on your address
Holgate Middle School - 02
Grades 6–8 · 497 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Simmons Middle School - 03
Grades 6–8 · 464 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Aberdeen
Central High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 1,384 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Aberdeen
Central High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 1,384 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Aberdeen
Central High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 1,384 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Aberdeen
Central High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 1,384 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Aberdeen’s public schools are run by Aberdeen School District 06-1. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Aberdeen vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Aberdeen’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | B | Aberdeen School District 06-1 |
| Aberdeen Township | — | Aberdeen School District 06-1 |
| Bath | — | Aberdeen School District 06-1 |
All 2 neighbors share Aberdeen School District 06-1 with Aberdeen, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Aberdeen
17 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with South Dakota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (SDSBVI Elementary - 01 and SDSBVI High School - 02). 1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Aberdeen’s schools
Are Aberdeen’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of South Dakota: the public schools Aberdeen children attend outscore 56% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #20 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 54%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Aberdeen in?
Aberdeen School District 06-1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,233 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
Where do Aberdeen kids go to high school?
Central High School - 01, with 1,384 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Aberdeen’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Aberdeen School District 06-1 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.
How much does Aberdeen spend per student?
$11,519 in Aberdeen School District 06-1 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Aberdeen?
Yes: Aberdeen Catholic Schools (Catholic, grades PK–12, 557 students), Roncalli Primary School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 557 students), Roncalli Jr. & Sr. High School (Catholic, grades 6–12, 232 students), Aberdeen Christian School, Inc (religious, grades PK–12, 218 students), Roncalli Elementary School (Catholic, grades 2–5, 169 students), Trinity Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 62 students), Catalyst Behavior Solutions (special education, grades PK–10, 12 students) and Montessori School of Aberdeen (nonsectarian, grades K, 5 students).
Parents talk
What Aberdeen families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Aberdeen → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within South Dakota. Stars are from neighbors.