Odd Fellows Home of Dell Rapids · Photo: Amitzel · CC BY-SA 4.0Dell Rapids’s public schools outscore 88% of South Dakota districts
In Dell Rapids, 66% of tested students are proficient in math, above the South Dakota average (42%). The grade covers the public school district serving Dell Rapids, 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.
Dell Rapids’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 66% and math 66% 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 $11,212 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 5 the district’s path is Dell Rapids Middle School - 03, then Dell Rapids High School - 01. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Mary Catholic School (private) is 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 Dell Rapids’s grade
A: better than 88% of South Dakota school districts, #4 of 35 South Dakota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the South Dakota average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dell Rapids, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02
Grades K–4 · 355 students · 13:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02
Grades K–4 · 355 students · 13:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02
Grades K–4 · 355 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02
Grades K–4 · 355 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02
Grades K–4 · 355 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03
Grades 5–8 · 295 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03
Grades 5–8 · 295 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03
Grades 5–8 · 295 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03
Grades 5–8 · 295 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 315 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 315 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 315 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 315 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Dell Rapids’s public schools are run by Dell Rapids School District 49-3, which also serves Alliance, Blinsmon, Burk and Dell Rapids 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.
Well above the state in reading
Dell Rapids vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Dell Rapids’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Dell Rapids | A | Dell Rapids School District 49-3 |
| Dell Rapids Township | — | Baltic School District 49-1 PK–12 · Dell Rapids School District 49-3 K–12 |
Every school in Dell Rapids
4 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).
Questions about Dell Rapids’s schools
Are Dell Rapids’s schools good?
By South Dakota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Dell Rapids children attend outscore 88% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #4 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 88%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Dell Rapids in?
Dell Rapids School District 49-3, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 965 students in 3 schools (2024–25).
Where do Dell Rapids kids go to high school?
Dell Rapids High School - 01, with 315 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Dell Rapids’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Dell Rapids School District 49-3 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.
How much does Dell Rapids spend per student?
$11,212 in Dell Rapids School District 49-3 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Dell Rapids?
Yes: St. Mary Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 242 students).
Parents talk
What Dell Rapids families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dell Rapids → 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.