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St. Charles Hotel, Pierre, South DakotaPhoto: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0
B+
Schools in Pierre · Pierre School District 32-2

Pierre’s public schools outscore 68% of South Dakota districts

In Pierre, 50% of tested students are proficient in math, above the South Dakota average (42%). The grade covers the public school district serving Pierre, 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.

#15of 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
53%
▲ 2 pts vs SD 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
50%
▲ 8 pts vs SD 42%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 6–10 pts vs SD 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.5K
▼ 12% vs SD $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.5
SD 13.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
7
2,749 students on the public path
In brief

Pierre’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 53% and math 50% in spring 2022, against 51% and 42% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,536 per student, against $13,040 across South Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Georgia Morse Middle School - 02, then T F Riggs High School - 01. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Pierre Indian Learning Center (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Pierre’s grade

B+ Test scoresA− Graduation

B+: better than 68% of South Dakota school districts, #15 of 35 South Dakota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the South Dakota average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

South Dakota school districts we grade (147)Better than 68%
Lower resultsHigher results
South Dakota towns with similar household incomes (345)Better than 68%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,458 test results and a graduating class of 197 could put Pierre anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Pierre’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,459 in math, 1,458 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC+ to B+
6–8Georgia Morse Middle School - 02Pierre School District 32-2B−
9–12T F Riggs High School - 01Pierre School District 32-2B

Pierre’s public schools are run by Pierre School District 32-2, which also serves Raber. 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.

Pierre School District 32-2Grades K–12 · 5 schools · 2,749 students · 16.5 per teacher (SD 13.7)
$11,536SD $13,040 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading53%
State average 51% · 1458 students tested
Math50%
State average 42.2% · 1459 students tested

Pierre vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PierreB+Pierre School District 32-2

Every school in Pierre

7 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 Pierreby address
Buchanan Elementary - 03
Elementary · Grades K–5
B+
432 students17:1Rate it →
Kennedy Elementary - 08
Elementary · Grades K–5
B
413 students16:1Rate it →
Jefferson Elementary - 06
Elementary · Grades K–5
C+
377 students13:1Rate it →
Georgia Morse Middle School - 02
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
672 students17:1Rate it →
T F Riggs High School - 01
High · Grades 9–12
B
855 students18:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Pierrerun by other districts or the state
Pierre Indian Learning Center
Elementary · Grades 1–8
156 students20:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Pierre Indian Learning Center
Elementary · Grades 1–8
Private · Nonsectarian
107 students6:1Rate it →

Questions about Pierre’s schools

Are Pierre’s schools good?

By South Dakota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Pierre children attend outscore 68% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #15 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 68%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Pierre in?

Pierre School District 32-2, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,749 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Pierre kids go to high school?

T F Riggs High School - 01, with 855 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Pierre’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Pierre School District 32-2 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.

How much does Pierre spend per student?

$11,536 in Pierre School District 32-2 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Pierre?

Yes: Pierre Indian Learning Center (nonsectarian, grades 1–8, 107 students).

Parents talk

What Pierre families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pierre → 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.