North Sioux City’s public schools outscore 82% of South Dakota districts
Reading proficiency in North Sioux City’s districts is 64%, above the South Dakota average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving North Sioux City, 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.
North Sioux City’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 64% and math 48% in spring 2022, against 51% and 42% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,808 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 Dakota Valley Middle School - 03, then Dakota Valley 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.
What’s behind North Sioux City’s grade
A−: better than 82% of South Dakota school districts, #5 of 35 South Dakota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the South Dakota average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve North Sioux City, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley Elementary - 02
Grades K–3 · 386 students · 13:1 students per teacher
1st grade in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley Elementary - 02
Grades K–3 · 386 students · 13:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley Elementary - 02
Grades K–3 · 386 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley Elementary - 02
Grades K–3 · 386 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04
Grades 4–5 · 179 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04
Grades 4–5 · 179 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley Middle School - 03
Grades 6–8 · 345 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley Middle School - 03
Grades 6–8 · 345 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley Middle School - 03
Grades 6–8 · 345 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 431 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 431 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 431 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in North Sioux City
Dakota Valley High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 431 students · 16:1 students per teacher
North Sioux City’s public schools are run by Dakota Valley School District 61-8, which also serves Big Sioux and Jefferson. 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
North Sioux City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share North Sioux City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| North Sioux City | A− | Dakota Valley School District 61-8 |
| Big Sioux | A− | Dakota Valley School District 61-8 |
Sioux City, IA borders North Sioux City but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in North Sioux City
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 North Sioux City’s schools
Are North Sioux City’s schools good?
By South Dakota’s own tests, yes: the public schools North Sioux City children attend outscore 82% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #5 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 80%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is North Sioux City in?
Dakota Valley School District 61-8, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 1,341 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
Where do North Sioux City kids go to high school?
Dakota Valley High School - 01, with 431 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is North Sioux City’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Dakota Valley School District 61-8 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.
How much does North Sioux City spend per student?
$11,808 in Dakota Valley School District 61-8 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What North Sioux City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near North Sioux City → 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.