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Canton, South Dakota 5Photo: AlexiusHoratius · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−
Schools in Canton · Canton School District 41-1

Canton’s public schools outscore 75% of South Dakota districts

56% of students in Canton’s public schools are proficient in math, above the South Dakota average (42%). The grade covers the public school district serving Canton, 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.

#8of 35 South Dakota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
60%
▲ 9 pts vs SD 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
56%
▲ 14 pts vs SD 42%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▲ 1–5 pts vs SD 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.2K
▼ 6% vs SD $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.4
SD 13.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
3
888 students on the public path
In brief

Canton’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 60% and math 56% in spring 2022, against 51% and 42% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,233 per student, against $13,040 across South Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Canton Middle School - 04, then Canton High School - 01. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Canton’s grade

A− Test scoresB− Graduation

A−: better than 75% of South Dakota school districts, #8 of 35 South Dakota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the South Dakota average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

South Dakota school districts we grade (147)Better than 75%
Lower resultsHigher results
South Dakota towns with similar household incomes (282)Better than 73%
BAA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 462 test results and a graduating class of 70 could put Canton anywhere from B to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Canton’s students in the tested grades sat them (462 in math, 462 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Canton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Lawrence Elementary - 02Canton School District 41-1A
6–8Canton Middle School - 04Canton School District 41-1B
9–12Canton High School - 01Canton School District 41-1B

Canton’s public schools are run by Canton School District 41-1, which also serves Canton, Dayton, Fairview and Fairview and others. 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.

Canton School District 41-1Grades K–12 · 3 schools · 888 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 14.4 per teacher (SD 13.7)
$12,233SD $13,040 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading60%
State average 51% · 462 students tested
Math56%
State average 42.2% · 462 students tested

Canton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Canton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CantonA−Canton School District 41-1
Canton Township—Canton School District 41-1

Every school in Canton

3 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).

District schools in Cantonby address
Lawrence Elementary - 02
Elementary · Grades K–5
A
411 students14:1Rate it →
Canton Middle School - 04
Middle · Grades 6–8
B
194 students14:1Rate it →
Canton High School - 01
High · Grades 9–12
B
283 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Canton’s schools

Are Canton’s schools good?

By South Dakota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Canton children attend outscore 75% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #8 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 73%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Canton in?

Canton School District 41-1, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 888 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Canton kids go to high school?

Canton High School - 01, with 283 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Canton’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Canton School District 41-1 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.

How much does Canton spend per student?

$12,233 in Canton School District 41-1 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Canton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Canton → 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.